Which size copper conductor is specified for bonding panelboards in healthcare facilities?

Which size copper conductor is specified for bonding panelboards in healthcare facilities?

• A. No 12 AWG
• B. No 10 AWG
• C. No 8 AWG
• D. No 6 AWG

Answer: (B)

Bonding panelboards provides a low-impedance path for fault currents and keeps metal enclosures at the same electrical potential as the grounding system. In healthcare facilities, this is especially important because life-safety systems require very reliable bonding to ensure protective devices operate quickly and to minimize any risk of shock from exposed metal parts. The size of the bonding conductor is determined by the rating of the overcurrent device feeding the circuit, but for typical panelboards in healthcare settings, the minimum copper bonding conductor size specified is 10 AWG. Using a smaller conductor would not meet the required minimum and could compromise the fault-path integrity. Larger sizes, such as 8 or 6 AWG, may be used in installations with higher fault-current needs, but the standard minimum expected for panelboard bonding in these facilities is 10 AWG copper.

Bonding panelboards provides a low-impedance path for fault currents and keeps metal enclosures at the same electrical potential as the grounding system. In healthcare facilities, this is especially important because life-safety systems require very reliable bonding to ensure protective devices operate quickly and to minimize any risk of shock from exposed metal parts.

The size of the bonding conductor is determined by the rating of the overcurrent device feeding the circuit, but for typical panelboards in healthcare settings, the minimum copper bonding conductor size specified is 10 AWG. Using a smaller conductor would not meet the required minimum and could compromise the fault-path integrity. Larger sizes, such as 8 or 6 AWG, may be used in installations with higher fault-current needs, but the standard minimum expected for panelboard bonding in these facilities is 10 AWG copper.