/ Field knowledge · NEC 100 · Sparky Edition
The ground rod is not the fault path.
NEC Article 100: “Where is the ground rod?” is the wrong first question. The useful one is: how does fault current return to the electrical source?
Educational 2026 NEC Article 100 terminology. Confirm the adopted edition. This is not a grounding design, a fault study, or a recertification finding. Specialized ungrounded or impedance-grounded systems need their own engineering basis.
- Grounding establishes a connection to earth. A grounding electrode provides that earth connection; a grounding electrode conductor connects the system or equipment to the electrode system.
- Bonding establishes electrical continuity between conductive parts.
- The effective ground-fault current path is an intentionally constructed low-impedance route back to the supply source so the protective device or ground-fault detector can operate. Current can divide among available paths; it does not exclusively choose one path.
Earth is not the equipment fault-clearing solution
A grounding electrode alone does not replace the required effective path. In an ordinary grounded system, equipment grounding and bonding provide the intended return route for an enclosure fault. A note saying “bond everything” does not resolve main, system, supply-side, and equipment bonding jumpers — they have different applications. Touching metal or a continuity beep does not prove a low-impedance path. Do not treat ductwork or water piping as a substitute path.
Source: Sparky grounding/bonding · SCCR: fault current · neutral vs EGC · recert: Miami-Dade recert.
What to send
The one-line, visible grounding/bonding photos (safe access only), and whether this is recertification, a replacement, or a comment.
If the comment is “show the ground”
Send the one-line. MasterBuild will say whether Article 100 is even the issue — or the effective path was never drawn.
Send Project Background+1 (786) 398-6940 · osmany.portal@masterbuildconsulting.com
MasterBuild provides engineering services under a written scope. Nothing on this page is project-specific engineering advice, a code interpretation for your project, or a representation about permit approval. Sparky Edition uses the 2026 NEC as model-code education. Confirm the adopted edition. Field observations do not establish electrical safety; only qualified personnel using required safe-work procedures should access electrical equipment.