What does the term 'grounded' mean?

The term 'grounded' specifically refers to being connected to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection. Grounding serves several essential purposes in electrical systems, including safety by providing a path for fault currents to reduce the risk of electric shock and equipment damage. It ensures that any excess electrical charge is safely conducted away into the earth, which helps in stabilizing voltage levels and provides a reference point for the electrical system.

In contrast, a connection to a source of power does not represent grounding, as it implies an active electrical connection rather than a safety measure. Being disconnected from any conductive body indicates that the system is not grounded, leaving it unprotected. Finally, being completely isolated from any other circuits suggests a lack of any connections, which also does not align with the grounding concept, as effective grounding requires some level of connection to a conductive body or the earth itself.