The impedance of an electrical conductor is directly proportional to its length. What happens to the impedance of the ground-fault return path when the length of the equipment grounding conductor decreases?

The impedance of an electrical conductor, including the equipment grounding conductor, is determined by various factors, one of which is its length. As the length of the conductor decreases, the overall impedance also decreases. This relationship is rooted in the principle that a longer conductor introduces more resistance due to the increased distance that current must travel. Therefore, when the length of the equipment grounding conductor is reduced, the path for ground-fault current becomes shorter, effectively reducing the resistance and, consequently, the impedance of the ground-fault return path.

This reduced impedance is beneficial for ground-fault protection, as it allows fault currents to return more easily to the ground, ensuring that protective devices can operate more swiftly and effectively in turn, enhancing overall electrical safety.