Grounded or Grounding Conductors

The NEC and PEC define and identify grounded conductor and grounding conductor differently. To understand better, here are the definitions on these electrical codes:

Definitions:

Grounded Conductor. A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded.

Grounding Conductor. A conductor used to connect equipment or the grounded circuit of a wiring system to a grounding electrode or electrodes.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment. The conductor used to connect the non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment,raceways, and other enclosures to the system grounded conductor, the grounding electrode conductor, or both, at the service equipment or at the source of a separately derived system.

Separately Derived System. A premises wiring system whose power is derived from a source of electric energy or equipment other than a service. Such systems have no direct electrical connection, including a solidly connected grounded circuit conductor, to supply conductors originating in another system.

Grounding or Earthing Conductor
Term NEC / PEC IEC / AS
Grounding Earthing
Identificaton Unless required elsewhere in this Code, equipment grounding conductors shall be permitted to be bare, covered, or insulated. Individually covered or insulated equipment grounding conductors shall have a continuous outer finish that is either green or green with one or more yellow stripes except as permitted in this section.;Conductors with insulation or individual covering that is green, green with one or more yellow stripes, or otherwise identified as permitted by this section shall not be used for ungrounded or grounded circuit conductors.

PEC 2008 - Clause 2.50.6.10
NEC 2011 - Clause 250.119

Green/yellow insulation or bare if buried

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