Which statement about grounding and potential rise is true?

• A. Grounding eliminates all potential hazards.
• B. Grounding limits the rise in potential on neutral, metal structures and noncurrent-carrying equipment.
• C. Grounding increases the potential rise on equipment.
• D. Grounding only affects current-carrying equipment.

Answer: (B)

Grounding provides a low-impedance path for fault current and ties exposed metal parts to earth, which keeps their voltage close to earth potential when a fault occurs. This is especially important for neutral-connected metal structures and noncurrent-carrying equipment, because it limits how high those parts can rise in voltage relative to the ground during a fault. By holding potential near zero, grounding reduces shock risk and helps protective devices clear faults quickly.

Grounding does not eliminate all hazards; a fault can still present dangerous conditions under certain circumstances, and it does not increase the potential rise. It also does not affect only current-carrying equipment—grounding and bonding matter for any metal that could become energized.