Philippine Electrical Code – Equipment Grounding, Grounded and Neutral Conductors

The Philippine Electrical Code being a modified version of the National Electrical Code has many similarities in their provisions.

A couple of many similar provisions are the color of the grounding conductor and the grounded conductor. If you are wondering what is the difference between them, I have written articles on these topics

The NEC and PEC define and identify grounded conductors and grounding conductors 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.

Neutral Conductor. The conductor connected to the neutral point of a system that is intended to carry current under normal conditions.

The grounded conductor is often, but not always, the neutral conductor. However, the neutral conductor unlike an equipment grounding conductor, the grounded conductor is a circuit conductor and as such is a current-carrying conductor. Whether it is referred to as the grounded conductor or as the neutral conductor, the white or gray marking on a circuit conductor indicates it is a conductor that is intentionally connected to the earth.

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Below is a simplified illustration on the identification of a grounded conductor and an equipment grounding conductor as per the provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code.