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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/elec-earth-return-path

To trip a breaker during a fault, current must have a low-impedance path back to where?

Fault current returns to the source, not just the earth.

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  1. The power source (transformer winding) ✔
  2. The earth, through the soil
  3. The nearest ground rod

Why: Soil is a poor return path and cannot carry enough current to trip a breaker. A bonded metal path back to the source can.

Huh, didn't know that: Mike Holt notes fault current isn't traveling to the earth; it travels to the power supply's source winding.

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References

Answer: The power source (transformer winding). Soil is a poor return path and cannot carry enough current to trip a breaker. A bonded metal path back to the source can.

  1. EC&M: Grounding vs Bonding Part 1 of 12 (Mike Holt) www.ecmweb.com/basics/bonding-grounding/article/20891808/grounding-vs-bonding-part-1-of-12
    very little current will return to the power-supply winding if the earth is the only ground-fault return path.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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