Old Wiring with Undersized Grounds

[BostonEE]

I am relocating an existing branch circuit panelboard in a dormitory in Massachusetts. The panelboard has old branch circuit wiring with undersized (#16AWG) grounds. The disagreement amongst my colleagues is: does the existing wiring need to be replaced or can it remain with the new wiring necessary for extension be provided with correctly sized grounds?

Thanks in advance.

 

[iwire]

Assuming Massachusetts I would say no.

 

[bob]

Does the NEC or the Massachusetts Code have a definition of Hazard? How do we know that the presence of #16 egc is a hazard?

 

[mbrooke]

Does the NEC or the Massachusetts Code have a definition of Hazard? How do we know that the presence of #16 egc is a hazard?

I don't see an undersized egc as a hazard. A #16 is ok IMO for a 14 gauge branch circuit.