What is the minimum size required for a protective ground?

The minimum size required for a protective ground is based on standards that ensure adequate current-carrying capacity and safety in the event of a fault. A #2 AWG copper ground is specified as the minimum size because it provides a sufficient cross-sectional area to handle fault currents without overheating or failing during a ground fault condition.

Using size #2 AWG copper ground minimizes the risk of electric shock and contributes to the overall safety of both personnel and system operations. This size also meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements and industry practices for grounding systems, allowing for effective fault clearing and protection in electrical systems.

Choosing a smaller size, such as #3 or #4 AWG, would not meet the safety requirements. Although there are larger options, such as #1 AWG, those exceed the minimum requirement, and while they can provide increased capacity, they are not necessary for standard protective grounding applications.