Will heavier ground wire provide better lighting protection?

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System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum #1
I got a good deal on some Stranded (each strand is about 16 gauge)6ga wire.

Enough from my array to CC plus enough to use as ground wire.

I have a sheath stripper I can strip the insulation off and use it as ground wire, will it provide more protection over the 12-10 gauge single strand?
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Will heavier ground wire provide better lighting protection?

    i don't think the nec will allow the use of #12 for going to the ground rod and i certainly wouldn't recommend it. generally to the ground rod it is #8 or better copper wire and ideally minimumly the same gauge as is used going from the pvs to the controller, but there is a point of redundancy in my opinion. the wire should work fine for you as a ground wire that is not used in below the ground applications and it will not be necessary to strip the insulation off of it all.
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