Electric signs and outline lighting systems (excluding portable and double-insulated types) must be grounded by connecting them to which conductor of the supplying branch circuit or feeder?

• A. Equipment grounding conductor
• B. Grounding electrode conductor
• C. Neutral conductor
• D. Service disconnect

Answer: (A)

Grounding of metal parts in electrical signs and outline lighting is done through the equipment grounding conductor of the feeding branch circuit or feeder. This creates a low-impedance fault path back to the source so that a hot-to-metal fault will quickly trip the overcurrent protective device, reducing shock risk. The grounding electrode conductor bonds the building’s grounding system to earth and isn’t the intended path for fault current from a branch circuit. The neutral carries current during normal operation and isn’t used as the grounding path for equipment. The service disconnect is a switch that interrupts power, not a grounding conductor.