To ensure a common, continuous grounded system, the grounded conductors for a premises wiring system must be electrically connected to the grounded conductor of the supply system. Which statement is correct?

To ensure a common, continuous grounded system, the grounded conductors for a premises wiring system must be electrically connected to the grounded conductor of the supply system. Which statement is correct?

• A. Grounded conductors should be isolated from the supply
• B. Grounded conductors must be connected to the supply system's grounded conductor
• C. Grounded conductors must be connected only at the load
• D. Grounded conductors must be connected through a separate transformer

Answer: (B)

Establishing a single, common reference for the system relies on bonding the premises’ grounded conductor (neutral) to the supply system’s grounded conductor at the service. This creates a continuous path back to the source for fault currents and ensures all parts of the installation share the same zero-volt reference, which helps overcurrent protection operate reliably and reduces shock risk. If the grounded conductors were isolated from the supply, only connected at the load, or routed through a separate transformer, the neutral could float or differ in potential, leading to unsafe voltages and nuisance tripping. Therefore, the grounded conductors must be connected to the supply system’s grounded conductor to maintain a common, continuous grounding path.

Establishing a single, common reference for the system relies on bonding the premises’ grounded conductor (neutral) to the supply system’s grounded conductor at the service. This creates a continuous path back to the source for fault currents and ensures all parts of the installation share the same zero-volt reference, which helps overcurrent protection operate reliably and reduces shock risk. If the grounded conductors were isolated from the supply, only connected at the load, or routed through a separate transformer, the neutral could float or differ in potential, leading to unsafe voltages and nuisance tripping. Therefore, the grounded conductors must be connected to the supply system’s grounded conductor to maintain a common, continuous grounding path.