For a receptacle to be properly grounded, where must the ground wire run to?

For a receptacle to be properly grounded, the ground wire must run all the way back to the panel. This ensures that the grounding system is effective and provides a direct and reliable path for fault currents to return safely to the ground. Grounding to the panel helps maintain a low-resistance path, which is crucial for the operation of circuit breakers or fuses that are intended to protect the circuit from overload or fault conditions. This design adheres to the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, which stipulate that grounding conductors must be connected directly to the grounding system of the electrical service.

Relying on connecting the ground wire to the nearest wall outlet or only to a grounding bus could result in an improper grounding scheme. These alternatives may not guarantee the same level of safety and reliability, as they could introduce higher resistance or not offer a clear path back to the main grounding point. Using a separate grounding system may also create complications unless it is part of a properly designed system that meets all electrical code requirements. By grounding directly back to the panel, you ensure compliance with safety standards and provide a reliable ground reference for the entire circuit.