True or False: The earth can be depended upon to function as an effective ground-fault current path.

The statement is false because while the earth can provide a ground for electrical systems, it is not always a reliable or effective ground-fault current path. The earth may have varying resistivity depending on factors like moisture content, temperature, and composition, which can affect its ability to carry fault currents effectively. Additionally, the use of ground as a current path can introduce safety hazards, as the currents may not return to the source efficiently, leading to potential electrical shock or fire risks.

For systems to maintain safety and functionality, grounding methods must be explicitly defined and properly implemented, rather than relying solely on the earth as a path for fault currents.