What is the specific requirement for the conductor size in bonding connections in pool installations?

In pool installations, the bonding connections are crucial for ensuring safety by preventing electrical shock hazards. The National Electrical Code (NEC) specifies that the conductors used for bonding in pool installations must be sized appropriately to ensure they can safely carry fault currents and maintain effective grounding and bonding integrity.

The correct requirement is that bonding conductors must not be smaller than 8 AWG when bonding pool structures, such as pools, spas, and associated equipment. This size is mandated to reduce the risk of overheating and potential failure of the conductor under fault conditions, providing adequate conductivity and mechanical strength to the bonding connection. This sizing contributes to enhancing overall safety by ensuring that any potential stray currents are effectively dissipated into the ground.

Conductors smaller than 8 AWG, such as those specified by other choices, do not meet the NEC's stringent requirements for safe bonding practices in wet environments, which pose unique hazards due to their conductive nature. Thus, 8 AWG is the minimum size deemed sufficient for the safety and performance of bonding connections in pool installations.