When grounding on distribution systems, what should be considered for the ground end of one or more ground levels?

The choice of considering the system neutral when grounding on distribution systems is based on the critical role that the neutral plays in maintaining system stability and safety. The neutral conductor serves as a return path for the unbalanced current in a three-phase system and provides a reference point for the voltage levels within the system.

Effectively grounding the system neutral helps mitigate voltage spikes, reduces the risk of electrical shock, and enhances overall system reliability. It acts as a balancing point, ensuring that the system can safely discharge fault currents to the ground, thereby protecting equipment and personnel.

Other factors, while important in grounding practices, focus on different aspects of system performance. Grounding resistance measures the effectiveness of a grounding system in dissipating fault currents safely into the earth but is not as foundational as the role of the system neutral. System ground provides a reference for the potential of the system itself, while ground potential relates to the voltage levels present at the grounding locations in relation to the earth. These concepts support the overall grounding strategy but do not emphasize the critical importance of the neutral connection in a distribution system.