The larger bare copper on the right is the grounding electrode conductor that connects the grounded busbar to the grounding electrode system (i. Ground faults occur when a hot wire touches a ground wire or metal box, creating a dangerous surge that trips. Color coding is essential: black or red for hot leads, white for neutral, and green or bare for grounding. Improper assignment can result in reversed polarity or grounded conductor faults. Article 250 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) focuses on grounding and bonding. These two conductors serve fundamentally different safety functions, even though they may sometimes connect.
[PDF Version]