In lightning prone locations, which conductor size should be considered?

• A. #4 AWG
• B. #6 AWG
• C. #1 AWG
• D. #8 AWG

Answer: (C)

In locations where lightning is likely, the grounding path needs to carry surge energy with as low impedance as possible. A larger conductor size lowers both resistance and inductive reactance, which helps the down conductors and grounding system carry the high current of a strike without overheating or allowing a large voltage rise to appear on equipment. Among the options given, the thickest conductor provides the best low-impedance path to ground, making it the most suitable choice for lightning-prone sites. The smaller gauges would have higher impedance, increasing the risk of overheating or excessive voltage rise during a strike. In practice you choose the largest practical size that meets codes and installation constraints to ensure a robust discharge path.