In a 1600-ampere, 3-phase service with five parallel sets of 500 kcmil conductors, what is the minimum size for the main bonding jumper?

To determine the minimum size of the main bonding jumper for a 1600-ampere, 3-phase service with five parallel sets of 500 kcmil conductors, it's essential to refer to the applicable National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements.

The main bonding jumper must adequately handle the maximum current that could flow through it without overheating or failing. The size of the bonding jumper is typically based on the size of the largest ungrounded conductor or the service entrance's rating.

In this scenario, the service is rated at 1600 amperes. Under NEC Table 250.102(C)(1), the bonding jumper needs to be sized based on the size of the service conductors. For a service of that size (1600 A), and considering the five parallel sets of 500 kcmil conductors are used to meet this rating, the requirements indicate that a larger main bonding jumper is necessary.

Option E, which is 350 kcmil, meets the requirement as it is sufficient to handle the bonding requirements based on the service size and configuration. This ensures that the bonding jumper is capable of carrying the fault current that could occur under fault conditions, contributing to protecting both the electrical system and personnel safety.

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