Which conductor connects the system grounded conductor to a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode system?

• A. Grounding Electrode Conductor
• B. Bonding Conductor
• C. Equipment Grounding Conductor
• D. Ground Path Conductor

Answer: (A)

The path that ties the system’s neutral to earth through the grounding electrode is provided by the grounding electrode conductor. It runs from the system’s grounded conductor (neutral) to the grounding electrode or to the grounding electrode system (rods, plates, or concrete-encased electrode). This establishes a reliable reference to earth and provides a low-impedance fault-current path so the overcurrent protection can clear faults. Other conductors have different roles—equipment grounding conductors bond metal parts to the grounding system, but not the neutral to earth; bonding conductors connect various metal parts to prevent potential differences; “ground path conductor” isn’t the standard term for this connection.