To be effective, a grounding system must limit voltage on the electrical system and protect it from what?

A grounding system is essential in electrical installations for maintaining safety and reliability. It serves several purposes, including protecting the electrical system from various hazards. One of the primary functions of a grounding system is to limit voltage surges that can occur due to external influences, such as lightning strikes or power line faults. When these voltage surges happen, a well-designed grounding system provides a low-resistance path for the excess current to safely dissipate into the ground, thereby protecting sensitive equipment from damage.

While power outages, excessive heat, and current overloads are important concerns in electrical systems, they are not directly addressed by grounding systems in the same way that voltage surges are. Power outages are typically related to the supply and distribution of electricity rather than grounding. Excessive heat can be a result of current overloads, but grounding systems focus primarily on preventing hazard situations that could arise from voltage spikes rather than controlling heat directly. Current overloads are managed by circuit protection devices like breakers or fuses, while grounding primarily mitigates the risk associated with voltage issues. Therefore, the successful limitation of voltage surges is critical for both safety and the longevity of electrical equipment, making this the correct answer.