Which of the following represents an acceptable means of identifying the equipment grounding conductor terminal on a duplex receptacle?

• A. Green-colored finish, the words green or ground, the letters G or GR, or a grounding symbol
• B. A blue colored finish
• C. The word White near the terminal
• D. Any non-identification mark is acceptable

Answer: (A)

Identifying the equipment grounding conductor terminal relies on standardized color and markings so the grounding path is unmistakable. The accepted indicators are a green-colored finish, or explicit markings such as the words green or ground, the letters G or GR, or a grounding symbol. These cues come from electrical codes and manufacturer conventions to make it clear that this terminal is for the grounding conductor, which is essential for safety because a proper ground provides a low-impedance path for fault current.

Other markings would cause confusion. A blue finish isn’t a recognized symbol for grounding and can be associated with other conductors in some systems. The word White near the terminal points to the neutral conductor, not the ground. And any marking that doesn’t clearly identify the grounding terminal fails to meet standard identification requirements, increasing the risk of incorrect connections.