Grounding and Bonding Conductors: Solid, Stranded, Bare or Insulated?: Copyright Material IEEE, Paper No. PCIC-2018-03

Recent discussions between governmental agencies, engineers, and standards / code making panels have raised the question of the appropriate type of grounding system conductor. What type of conductor should be used in grounding connections? What factors affect the life of grounding conductors? How should grounding conductors be sized? How do the current NEC requirements affect the quality of the ground system? In many cases, the selection of the appropriate conductor to be used is considered a matter of preference. However, the proper selection of the conductor can enhance or degrade system reliability and performance. This is especially true in critical or high energy applications. The technical factors that go into selection of a grounding conductor are discussed. Reliable criteria for selection of the appropriate grounding conductor are developed and presented.