Which conductor size is used to bond the ground rod to the cabinet?

• A. #6 AWG copper
• B. #2 AWG copper
• C. #4 AWG aluminum
• D. #1 AWG copper

Answer: (B)

Bonding the grounding electrode (the ground rod) to the cabinet is about creating a continuous, low-impedance path so that any fault current can travel to earth and the cabinet remains at the same electrical potential as the earth. The conductor chosen for this bonding jumper must be large enough to carry the worst‑case fault current without overheating and to maintain a reliable bond over time. In this context, using a copper conductor of size two provides a solid balance of electrical capacity, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance for outdoor telecom equipment. It ensures the bond can carry fault current safely and keeps the impedance low between the ground rod and the cabinet, which helps protect personnel and equipment and supports proper operation of protective devices. Smaller copper sizes would be inadequate for typical fault currents and could overheat or degrade the bond, while aluminum is less common for this specific bonding path, and a larger size would add unnecessary cost without added benefit.