What is the key characteristic of a protective ground?

The key characteristic of a protective ground is its ability to conduct electricity. Protective grounding is designed to provide a low-resistance path for fault current to safely travel to the ground, helping to protect both equipment and personnel from electric shock and maintaining safety in electrical systems. When a fault occurs, grounding ensures that the excess electricity is directed away from people and equipment, minimizing the risk of injury or damage.

While flexibility, visibility, and connection to a fuse may have their own relevance in different contexts of electrical safety or installation, they do not represent the fundamental requirement that defines protective grounding. Conductivity is crucial because it determines how effectively the ground can channel electrical current in case of a fault condition, which is essential for both operational safety and system integrity.