Grounding & Bonding Basics: EGC, GEC, Electrodes, and Color Code
Grounding and bonding (Article 250) is where a lot of exam points live — and where safety really matters. Start by keeping three conductors straight, then learn how each grounding conductor is sized.
1. The three conductors and their colors
| Conductor | Job | Identification |
|---|---|---|
| Ungrounded ("hot") | carries current to the load | black, red, blue, etc. (any non-reserved color) |
| Grounded ("neutral") | carries current back | white or gray (CEC 200.6) |
| Equipment grounding (EGC) | safety bond, normally no current | green, green/yellow, or bare (CEC 250.119) |
2. Sizing the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) — Table 250.122
The EGC is sized from the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the circuit — not the conductor ampacity. (CEC Table 250.122)
| OCPD rating | Copper EGC |
|---|---|
| 15 A | 14 AWG |
| 20 A | 12 AWG |
| 30–60 A | 10 AWG |
| 100 A | 8 AWG |
| 200 A | 6 AWG |