What is the terminology for a low-resistance path to earth?

The terminology for a low-resistance path to earth is "ground fault path." A ground fault path provides a route for electrical current to flow safely into the ground. This path is essential for protecting both people and equipment from potential electric shock or damage, as it helps to keep the electrical system stable and reduces the risk of over-voltages.

In electrical systems, grounding refers to the method of connecting electrical installations to the earth, creating a physical connection that allows excess current to dissipate into the earth. The ground fault path ensures that any fault current (unintended leakages) can effectively flow to ground, thereby triggering protective devices like circuit breakers or fuses to disconnect the faulty circuit.

A neutral bond refers to the connection between the neutral conductor and the ground, but it does not specifically denote a low-resistance path on its own. An earth fault circuit is a different concept, typically referring to the complete circuit that may be interrupted during a fault condition, while a high resistance connection would not effectively serve as a ground fault path, as it would not allow sufficient current flow during a fault condition. Thus, understanding the critical function of a ground fault path is necessary for ensuring electrical safety.