What is a "Grounded Conductor"?

A "Grounded Conductor" refers specifically to a system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded. This grounding serves critical purposes, including providing a path for fault currents to ensure safety and stability within electrical systems. By being connected to the ground, the grounded conductor helps to protect individuals and equipment from electrical faults, such as short circuits or overloads.

This definition emphasizes the intentional grounding aspect, which is crucial for effective electrical safety. Such grounding can help prevent hazardous situations, allowing overcurrent protection devices to operate correctly when there is a fault in the system. Additionally, having a grounded conductor assists in stabilizing voltage levels during normal operation.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of a grounded conductor. For instance, a conductor that is not insulated does not necessarily imply that it is grounded, and a conductor used only for grounding purposes indicates a different function than that of a grounded conductor, which is primarily for electrical systems. Lastly, a reference point for structural grounding refers to a different concept related to building safety and does not specifically align with the definition of a grounded conductor in the context of electrical circuits.