Equipment Grounding Conductor

The equipment grounding conductor is energized only if there is a leak or fault in the normal current path, and it directs this current back to the source. Directing the fault current back to the source enables protective devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses, to operate thus preventing fires and reducing the hazard of electrical shocks. It acts as a safeguard against insulation failure or faults in the other circuit conductors. It is not an energized conductor under normal conditions.