Which item is explicitly described as part of the grounding system for industrial extension cords?

Which item is explicitly described as part of the grounding system for industrial extension cords?

• A. Insulation
• B. Color coding
• C. Outer jacket material
• D. A third wire in the cord to ground

Answer: (D)

Grounding safety relies on a dedicated conductor that provides a direct path to earth for fault current. The third wire in an industrial extension cord is the grounding conductor, usually green or bare, and it carries any fault current away from equipment to ground so that protective devices can trip quickly and shut off power. Insulation, outer jacket material, and color coding are important for preventing contact and identifying conductors, but they do not form the grounding path itself. Without the grounding conductor, metal parts could become energized and create a serious shock risk.

Grounding safety relies on a dedicated conductor that provides a direct path to earth for fault current. The third wire in an industrial extension cord is the grounding conductor, usually green or bare, and it carries any fault current away from equipment to ground so that protective devices can trip quickly and shut off power. Insulation, outer jacket material, and color coding are important for preventing contact and identifying conductors, but they do not form the grounding path itself. Without the grounding conductor, metal parts could become energized and create a serious shock risk.