Which of the following is a characteristic of a grounded AC system?

A grounded AC system is designed to enhance safety by providing a clear path for fault currents, thereby reducing the risk of electric shock. One defining characteristic of a grounded AC system is the presence of a neutral connection. In this setup, the neutral conductor is connected to ground at the source, which stabilizes the voltage levels and helps to limit the accumulation of static charges. This connection allows any fault current to return to the ground safely, facilitating the operation of overcurrent protection devices, such as circuit breakers.

In contrast, a system that lacks a ground connection or utilizes only one wire would not provide this essential safety feature and could pose additional hazards. Furthermore, while sharing circuit conductors might be permissible in certain configurations, it is not a defining characteristic of grounded systems. Therefore, the presence of a neutral connection is crucial for identifying and ensuring the safety of a grounded AC system.