A residential swimming pool has a dedicated 20-ampere branch circuit. Which of the following is a correct requirement for the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) in this circuit?
- AThe EGC must be 10 AWG copper.
- The EGC must be 12 AWG copper.
- CThe EGC must be 14 AWG copper.
- DThe EGC can be omitted if the circuit is protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Exam tip
Always check the specific requirements for the grounding conductor size for different circuit ratings.
Why B is correct
According to 2024 IRC Section 680.26, the equipment grounding conductor for a 20-ampere branch circuit supplying a swimming pool or similar installation must be 12 AWG copper. Option A is incorrect because 10 AWG is too large, and option C is incorrect because 14 AWG is too small. Option D is incorrect because the EGC cannot be omitted.