When a separate equipment grounding conductor is installed in a metal raceway, how does it relate to the raceway?

The correct understanding is that the separate equipment grounding conductor is run in parallel with the metal raceway. This configuration ensures that the grounding conductor can provide an effective path for fault current and enhance the overall safety and functionality of the electrical system.

In this setup, the equipment grounding conductor runs alongside other conductors inside the raceway or directly parallel if it is run outside of the raceway. The parallel arrangement allows it to maintain a low resistance path to ground, which is essential for clearing faults quickly and reducing the risk of electrical shock or fire hazards.

Running the grounding conductor in series would not provide the necessary fault protection, as it would impede the flow of current in the case of a fault situation. Coiling the grounding conductor within the raceway is not a standard practice because it could introduce induction issues and limit its effectiveness. Spacing it apart from the raceway would defeat the purpose of ensuring a reliable connection to ground and could lead to longer fault-clearing times. Therefore, the parallel installation ensures that the grounding conductor performs its intended role effectively.