The grounding electrode conductor for an antenna mast made of copper should not be smaller than which size gauge?

The grounding electrode conductor for an antenna mast made of copper should not be smaller than 10 AWG. This specification is important because the grounding electrode conductor plays a critical role in providing a safe path for electrical currents resulting from lightning strikes or electrical faults. Using a conductor that is too small can increase the risk of overheating and potential failures during a fault condition.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) has specific requirements that establish minimum sizes for grounding conductors to ensure adequate conductivity and mechanical strength. A 10 AWG copper conductor provides a suitable balance of these properties, ensuring the system can handle fault conditions safely while maintaining the integrity of the grounding system.

Larger gauge wires, such as 8 AWG, would exceed the requirement but still remain acceptable, while smaller gauges, such as 12 AWG or 14 AWG, would not provide the required capacity and could lead to safety hazards.