According to NEC 250.142(B), what should you never ground an appliance to?

Grounding an appliance to the neutral grounded circuit conductor is prohibited according to NEC 250.142(B). This section of the National Electrical Code specifies that appliances should not be grounded through the neutral. The rationale behind this regulation is to ensure safety and reliability in electrical systems.

When grounding is connected to the neutral conductor, it can create a situation where electrical faults might not be correctly cleared, potentially leading to shock hazards or fires. This is particularly concerning because in the event of a fault, the neutral is meant to return current; if the neutral were to become compromised, the grounding path could also fail, presenting significant dangers.

In contrast, options like grounded metal parts, unbonded ground wires, and grounding electrodes are defined within regulations that allow them to serve specific grounding functions, provided they are appropriately installed and configured in the residential wiring system. Understanding these distinctions is essential for safe electrical installation practices.