Electrical systems grounded to the earth are designed to limit what hazards during normal operation?

Electrical systems that are grounded to the earth are primarily designed to limit hazards such as lightning strikes and line surges. Grounding provides a direct path for excess electrical energy to disperse safely into the earth, which helps to protect equipment from the damaging effects of transient overvoltage conditions that can occur during storms or due to switching activities in the power grid.

When a lightning strike occurs or when there are sudden surges on power lines due to switching or faults, grounding systems help to divert the excess energy away from sensitive electrical devices. This mitigation of voltage spikes is crucial for maintaining the integrity of electrical systems and ensuring the safety of both the equipment and personnel.

Although overcurrent events, power outages, and interference from other signals may pose risks to electrical systems, they are not the primary hazards that grounding aims to address. Grounding systems are specifically designed to manage the transient events associated with lightning and line surges effectively, making it a critical safety feature in electrical installations.