Amend NEC^® 2017, page 134:

(5) Existing Dwelling Panelboards. An equipment grounding conductor for an existing one-and two-family dwelling shall be permitted to be installed separately and outside of the raceway or cable assembly where all the following conditions apply;

(a) When relocating or installing an additional service disconnecting means;

(b) Enacting 300.3(B)(5)(a) redefines the existing service entrance conductors as a feeder as set forth in Article 100; and

(c) Replacement of the existing service entrance conductors either requires the removal of the building finish or is deemed impractical by the authority having jurisdiction.

ELR commentary: NEC 300.3(B) is all about conductors of the same circuit and generally requires them to be routed together in the same cable or raceway. North Carolina has added an additional rule number 5 which applies to existing one-and two-family dwelling panelboards. The North Carolina amendment permits but does not require the equipment grounding conductor to be installed separately and outside of the raceway or cable assembly with specific conditions.

This amendment works together with the North Carolina amendments to NEC^® sections 250.140 and 250.142(B) in order to provide an acceptable method and supportive code language for unique electrical installations that have been done in North Carolina for many years.