ICC Residential Electrical Inspectors Practice Exam

What is the minimum size of solid copper conductors permitted for bonding conductive parts of permanently installed pools?

1. 10 AWG

2. 8 AWG

3. 6 AWG

4. 4 AWG

The correct answer is: 8 AWG

The minimum size of solid copper conductors required for bonding conductive parts of permanently installed swimming pools is indeed 8 AWG. This requirement is outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC), which sets forth guidelines to ensure safety and prevent electrical hazards in swimming pool installations. The purpose of bonding in this context is to connect all accessible conductive parts, such as metal fittings and structural components, to minimize the risk of electrical shock. This is crucial because pools often have various electrically conductive components that can present an electrocution hazard if not properly bonded. The 8 AWG size provides an adequate capability to handle fault currents and ensures a low-resistance path for grounding, which is critical for effective bonding. Larger conductors, such as those in the other options (10 AWG, 6 AWG, and 4 AWG), exceed the minimum requirement but are not required; hence, they would not be the correct answer. The NEC sometimes specifies larger conductors for other applications or different contexts, but for bonding in permanently installed pools, 8 AWG is the established standard.