According to the NEC, which section allows the equipment grounding conductor to pass through a metal box without being connected?

The correct section of the National Electrical Code (NEC) that allows an equipment grounding conductor to pass through a metal box without being connected is indeed 250.146. This section specifies the requirements for equipment grounding conductors in various situations, including their insertion through metal boxes.

When an equipment grounding conductor is run through a metal box, the NEC recognizes that it does not always need to be connected. This provision exists to ensure that grounding systems are still effective even when conductors pass through enclosures that do not require them to be terminated or connected. It acknowledges practical scenarios where it might be unnecessary or impractical to terminate every grounding conductor inside a metal box but still allows for the integrity of the grounding system as a whole.

Understanding this aspect of 250.146 is important for ensuring compliance with the code while still maintaining system safety and functionality. It highlights how the NEC balances installation practices with safety considerations in electrical systems.