For the installation in Figure 230.252, the smallest BC conductors permitted are ___ AWG or kcmil.

For the installation in Figure 230.252, the smallest BC conductors permitted are ___ AWG or kcmil.

• A. 2/0
• B. 250
• C. 1
• D. 3/0

Answer: (A)

The size of branch-circuit conductors is set by the current they must carry and the protection and installation conditions shown. In this particular layout (Figure 230.252), the ampacity and the way the conductors run require a minimum size of copper conductor of 2/0 AWG (or an aluminum equivalent of 250 kcmil). That means conductors smaller than 2/0 aren’t allowed here because they wouldn’t safely handle the current or meet the NEC limits for this configuration. Among the options, 2/0 is the smallest size that satisfies that requirement. Larger sizes like 3/0 or 250 kcmil are permitted but not the minimum, and 1 AWG would be too small for this installation.

The size of branch-circuit conductors is set by the current they must carry and the protection and installation conditions shown. In this particular layout (Figure 230.252), the ampacity and the way the conductors run require a minimum size of copper conductor of 2/0 AWG (or an aluminum equivalent of 250 kcmil). That means conductors smaller than 2/0 aren’t allowed here because they wouldn’t safely handle the current or meet the NEC limits for this configuration. Among the options, 2/0 is the smallest size that satisfies that requirement. Larger sizes like 3/0 or 250 kcmil are permitted but not the minimum, and 1 AWG would be too small for this installation.