What happens if the service-entrance conductors exceed the designated size requirements?

When service-entrance conductors exceed the designated size requirements, a larger bonding jumper must be used to ensure proper grounding and bonding within the electrical system. This is crucial because bonding jumpers are designed to provide a low-resistance path for fault currents, thus enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the grounding system.

The size of the bonding jumper is typically determined based on the size of the service conductors. When those conductors are larger than what is standard, the bonding jumper must also increase in size to ensure it can handle the potential fault currents without overheating or failing. This relationship is established by the National Electrical Code (NEC), which specifies the appropriate sizes for bonding jumpers based on the size of the conductors to maintain system integrity and safety.

This approach is implemented to minimize the risk of electrical hazards, prevent equipment damage, and ensure compliance with local codes and standards. Thus, adhering to the requirements for adjusting bonding jumper size according to the service-entrance conductor size is vital in maintaining an effective and safe electrical installation.