What is the requirement for equipment grounding conductors in feeder installations?

In feeder installations, the requirement for equipment grounding conductors is indeed that they must be sized according to the feeder's amperage. This is essential for safety and proper operation; the size of the grounding conductor needs to be adequate to handle potential fault currents without becoming a hazard. If the grounding conductor is undersized, it may not effectively carry fault currents to ground, which could lead to overheating, equipment damage, or pose increased shock hazards to personnel.

Moreover, specific sizing requirements for grounding conductors are outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC), which provides guidelines based on the size of the feeder conductors or the specific amperage of the feeder installation. Therefore, ensuring the grounding conductors are sized appropriately is vital for maintaining the reliability and safety of the electrical system.

In contrast, omitting grounding conductors, using insulating materials, or matching their size to that of the neutral conductor does not meet the necessary safety requirements for grounding. The focus on adjusting the size of equipment grounding conductors based on feeder amperage is intended to ensure adequate protection and reliability in electrical installations.