What best defines a conducting object used to connect to the Earth directly?

A grounding electrode is specifically defined as a conducting object that connects directly to the Earth. Its primary purpose is to provide a low-resistance path for electrical currents to dissipate safely into the ground, which helps reduce the risk of electrical shock and equipment damage due to faults or lightning strikes. Grounding electrodes are essential components in grounding systems and are typically made from materials like copper or galvanized steel to ensure effective conductivity.

In contrast, a grounding conductor is typically a wire connected to the grounding electrode but not itself a direct earth connection. A ground fault interrupter is a safety device designed to protect against electrical shock by detecting imbalances in electrical current but does not serve as a direct connection to the Earth. A bonding jumper, meanwhile, is used to create a conductive path between two or more conductive materials to ensure they have the same electrical potential, but it does not specifically connect to the Earth. Thus, the defining characteristic of the grounding electrode as the direct link to the Earth makes it the best answer to the question.