What is the impact of a high resistance in grounding systems in an electrical setup?

A high resistance in grounding systems can lead to increased risk of electric shock or equipment damage primarily because it reduces the effectiveness of fault current paths. Grounding systems are designed to safely conduct fault currents into the earth, preventing dangerous voltages from appearing on equipment casings or conductive surfaces. When the resistance is high, the ground potential may rise to unsafe levels during a fault, which increases the likelihood of electric shock to personnel who may inadvertently come into contact with equipment. Additionally, equipment may not operate correctly and could be damaged due to inadequate fault protection.

In contrast, a low-resistance grounding system provides a reliable path for fault currents, ensuring that protective devices such as circuit breakers can function properly to isolate faults quickly, thereby enhancing safety and preventing damage to equipment.