What is the primary purpose of grounding in electrical systems?

The primary purpose of grounding in electrical systems is to provide a safe path for fault currents and prevent electric shock. Grounding connects the electrical system to the Earth, ensuring that, in the event of a fault, such as a short circuit or equipment failure, excessive current has a low-resistance path to safely dissipate into the ground. This significantly reduces the risk of shock to individuals and minimizes the potential for fire or equipment damage caused by fault currents.

This grounding mechanism acts as a protective measure, allowing circuit breakers and fuses to operate effectively, thereby interrupting the flow of electricity in a fault condition. By facilitating this safe path for fault currents, grounding is crucial for the safety of both people and property in electrical installations.