What is a conductor used to connect the system grounded conductor to a grounding electrode called?

The conductor that connects the system grounded conductor to a grounding electrode is referred to as a grounding electrode conductor. This conductor plays a crucial role in electrical systems as it establishes a direct physical connection between the grounding system and the grounding means, such as ground rods or other grounding electrodes.

This connection ensures that any fault current is safely directed to the ground, reducing the risk of electric shock and helping to prevent damage to equipment. It also helps stabilize the voltage during normal operation. Properly sized and installed grounding electrode conductors are essential for compliance with electrical codes and safety regulations, making them a foundational component in electrical installations.

The other terms, while related, refer to different aspects of grounding and bonding in electrical systems. Grounding wires generally refer to conductors used for grounding, but they do not specifically denote the connection to grounding electrodes. The service bonding conductor is typically involved in connecting neutral and ground at the service entrance but is not designated for connecting to grounding electrodes specifically. Equipment grounding wires are meant for grounding individual pieces of equipment to ensure their safety but do not serve to connect the system grounded conductor to a grounding electrode directly.