If an equipment grounding conductor is not installed in a conduit with compression fittings and a ground fault occurs, how does this affect fault current and opening time of the overcurrent protective device (OCPD)?

In situations where an equipment grounding conductor is not installed within a conduit that uses compression fittings, the grounding system may become less effective at carrying fault current. The absence of a proper grounding path can result in lower fault current levels due to increased resistance in the return path. This diminished fault current affects the performance of overcurrent protective devices (OCPDs), such as circuit breakers or fuses.

Because the OCPD is designed to respond based on the level of current flowing through the circuit, a lower fault current means that the OCPD may not detect the fault condition promptly. Consequently, the OCPD will take more time to reach its trip setting or open, leading to a slower response to the fault. This scenario illustrates the importance of properly installed grounding conductors in ensuring safety and reliability in electrical systems.