Sectioned equipment grounding conductors smaller than which AWG size shall be permitted in multiconductor cables if the combined circular mil area of the sectioned equipment grounding conductors in each cable complies with 250.122?

• A. 1/0 AWG
• B. 2/0 AWG
• C. 3/0 AWG
• D. 4 AWG

Answer: (A)

When a multiconductor cable carries more than one current‑carrying conductor, the code allows using several smaller equipment grounding conductors in place of one larger one, as long as the combined circular mil area of those sectioned EGCs meets the minimum required by 250.122 for the circuit’s overcurrent device rating. This keeps a reliable grounding path while using smaller conductors to fit in the jacket.

There is a size limit to this allowance: the sectioned EGCs must be smaller than 1/0 AWG. In other words, you can group and count multiple conductors smaller than 1/0 AWG toward satisfying 250.122, but you cannot section an EGC that is 1/0 AWG or larger. This cutoff ensures the grounding path remains adequately substantial while still permitting space and cost savings inside the cable.

So the correct understanding is that sectioned EGCs may be used when they are smaller than 1/0 AWG, provided their combined circular mil area meets the 250.122 requirement.