I am an electrical contractor, but nobody knows everything. I know how to use the NEC to properly size wires. Never had an inspector compliain out BARE (and unprotected) #4 being used for a 200 amp service. #4 is fairly robust, and hard to accidently damage. But what about a 125 amp service? The NEC requires #8, but dose the thiner #8 need the protection of a conduit? Is it required by code?Is this information in the NEC?THANKSCharlie
Ground wire doesn't require conduit, but I use #4 for ALL service grounding. This makes it easier to upgrade the service, and harder to damage the wire, plus, the cost difference is negligible, and the inspectors never complain about over sized wiring
If the ground wire is in a spot where it might be hooked , pulled or caught on or by something, it would be advisable to put the ground wire thru some sort of conduit. I use #6 on all residential services, no matter what size the mains are. It's always better to bigger. Inspectors will never complain about ground wires that are bigger than code
