Which of the following functions are performed by an equipment grounding conductor?

The function of creating an effective ground-fault current path is crucial for safety and protection in electrical systems. An equipment grounding conductor provides a low-resistance path for fault current to flow back to the source in the event of a ground fault. This is essential for the operation of protective devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses, which need to detect the fault condition quickly to disconnect the supply and prevent shock hazards or equipment damage.

When there is a ground fault, the fault current flows through the equipment grounding conductor, allowing protective devices to detect the imbalance in the electrical system. This path ensures that enough current flows to trip the circuit breaker, effectively disconnecting the faulty circuit and minimizing the risk of injury or fire.

In contrast, grounding of equipment refers to connecting electrical equipment to ground, which is part of a broader system but does not specifically address the path for ground-fault currents. Passive insulation does not perform grounding functions; rather, it refers to the insulation materials that prevent unintentional contact with live parts. Fusing circuit connections relates to protection measures for overcurrent situations rather than ground fault scenarios. Thus, the effectiveness and reliability of a grounding system heavily depend on the proper implementation of an effective ground-fault current path.