The equipment grounding terminal buses of the normal and essential branch-circuit panelboards in a health care facility must be connected with a copper conductor not smaller than what gauge?

In health care facilities, there are specific requirements set forth in the National Electrical Code (NEC) for equipment grounding to ensure safety and reliability. The standard for connecting the equipment grounding terminal buses of the normal and essential branch-circuit panelboards specifically stipulates the use of a copper conductor of not smaller than 10 AWG.

This gauge is determined to provide adequate grounding connections that ensure any potential fault current can safely return to ground. A conductor that is too small may not be able to handle fault current effectively, which can lead to overheating and electrical hazards. Additionally, the use of a 10 AWG copper conductor balances safety and practical installation considerations, ensuring that the grounding is robust enough to protect both people and equipment in the facility, which is particularly critical in health care settings.

Using a conductor that is at least 10 AWG helps to comply with both safety standards and best practices in electrical installations in hospitals, where the consequences of electrical failures can be dire.