What gauge wire should be used to ground a burglar alarm panel?

• A. 12 gauge
• B. 14 gauge
• C. 16 gauge
• D. 18 gauge

Answer: (D)

Grounding a burglar alarm panel for low-voltage equipment only needs a small, reliable return path for fault currents and to help suppress electrical noise. For this purpose, 18 AWG copper is the standard minimum size used in many manufacturers’ guidelines and common practice. It provides an adequate ground path without the extra bulk or cost of heavier gauges, which are more typical for higher-current power wiring. Using a thinner wire would risk an insufficient ground path, especially in environments with moisture or long runs, whereas larger gauges don’t provide meaningful benefits for the low-current nature of alarm systems. So, 18 gauge is the appropriate choice for grounding these panels.