[ S = \frac\sqrtI^2 \times tk ]

Stay safe, and keep that ground path solid. Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes. Always consult your local electrical code (NEC, IEC, BS 7671, AS/NZS 3000) and work with a licensed electrician.

When in doubt: . The cost of one cable size up is trivial compared to the cost of a failed protection path.

But how do you size it correctly? Too small, and it could vaporize under a fault. Too large, and you’re wasting copper. Let’s break down the rules, the math, and the practical steps. When a fault occurs (say, a live wire touches a metal casing), the earth cable must carry the full fault current until the protective device (breaker or fuse) trips. During that short time—milliseconds to a few seconds—the earth wire heats up.