In a properly installed electrical installation, what is connected to a grounding rod?

In a properly installed electrical system, the grounding rod is used as a grounding electrode that helps protect against electrical faults and lightning strikes by providing a path for excess electrical energy to dissipate safely into the ground. The correct choice indicates that both the neutral and the ground wires are connected to this grounding system.

The neutral wire serves as a return path for electrical current and is typically bonded to the ground at the main service panel. This bonding is essential for ensuring that both the neutral and ground wires are at the same electrical potential, which minimizes the risk of electric shock. The ground wire provides a path for fault currents, ensuring that if a fault occurs, the circuit can be safely interrupted by the circuit breaker.

Connecting both the neutral and ground wires to the grounding rod facilitates the safe grounding of the entire electrical system and reduces the risk of electrical hazards. This setup is a critical component of electrical safety regulations, which are designed to ensure that all installations provide adequate protection against electrical faults.