Which statement correctly describes the insulation requirement for the grounded conductor of a multiconductor cable?

Which statement correctly describes the insulation requirement for the grounded conductor of a multiconductor cable?

• A. It must be insulated or covered
• B. It must be bare
• C. It must be green
• D. It must be at least 2 inches thick

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that any conductor that carries current in a multiconductor cable—the neutral, which is the grounded conductor—must be insulated or covered. Keeping the grounded conductor insulated prevents it from being touched or accidentally shorting against other conductors or parts of the cable. It also helps maintain the intended current return path inside the cable without creating a fault to ground or a shock hazard if moisture or conductive materials come into contact with exposed metal. In contrast, bare conductors are not appropriate for the grounded conductor inside a cable because exposure increases risk of shock or short circuits; green is just a color convention for grounding conductors, not a requirement for insulation, and a thickness like two inches isn’t a valid or practical spec for insulation in this context. So the correct statement is that the grounded conductor must be insulated or covered to ensure safe, proper operation.

The key idea here is that any conductor that carries current in a multiconductor cable—the neutral, which is the grounded conductor—must be insulated or covered. Keeping the grounded conductor insulated prevents it from being touched or accidentally shorting against other conductors or parts of the cable. It also helps maintain the intended current return path inside the cable without creating a fault to ground or a shock hazard if moisture or conductive materials come into contact with exposed metal. In contrast, bare conductors are not appropriate for the grounded conductor inside a cable because exposure increases risk of shock or short circuits; green is just a color convention for grounding conductors, not a requirement for insulation, and a thickness like two inches isn’t a valid or practical spec for insulation in this context. So the correct statement is that the grounded conductor must be insulated or covered to ensure safe, proper operation.