Distinguish between a neutral conductor and an equipment grounding conductor.

• A. Neutral carries return current; EGC provides fault current path and is connected to grounding at the service.
• B. Neutral carries return current; EGC provides fault current path and is connected to grounding only at the subpanel.
• C. Neutral and equipment grounding conductor are interchangeable in most circuits.
• D. EGC carries return current under normal operation; neutral carries fault current.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that these two conductors have different roles in a wiring system. The neutral is the grounded conductor that carries current back to the source during normal operation, helping complete the circuit. It is bonded to earth at the service equipment to establish a reference potential.

The equipment grounding conductor, on the other hand, is a safety path. Its job is to carry fault current back to the source so the overcurrent protection device trips, preventing shock or fire. It is connected to all metal enclosures and equipment frames and to the grounding electrode system, but it does not carry normal running current.

So, the best choice reflects that neutral carries return current under normal operation, while the equipment grounding conductor provides a fault-current path and is connected to grounding at the service.