Grounding provides which of the following benefits?

Grounding is primarily intended to establish a safety path for electrical current, which is critical for protecting both individuals and equipment from electrical faults. When a fault condition occurs, such as a short circuit or insulation failure, grounding provides a low-resistance path for the fault current to flow safely to the ground. This ensures that circuit protective devices, like breakers or fuses, can detect the fault quickly and disconnect the power supply, reducing the risk of electric shock or fire.

While grounding can contribute to equipment longevity and performance by minimizing damage from electrical faults, its principal function is safety. It ensures that in case of unexpected current paths, there is a reliable route for electrical energy to dissipate safely without posing a hazard to users or damaging sensitive components. Thus, the establishment of a safety path for electrical current is the most pertinent benefit of grounding.