What is the conductor to be grounded in a single-phase, 2-wire AC system?

In a single-phase, 2-wire AC system, it is essential to understand which conductor should be grounded to ensure safety and compliance with electrical code requirements. The appropriate conductor to be grounded in this context is the one that serves as a current-carrying conductor, which is typically referred to as the hot conductor.

Grounding one conductor helps to create a reference point for voltage and provides a pathway for fault currents to the ground, enhancing protection against electrical shock and equipment damage. Grounding a conductor establishes a safe path to dissipate electricity in the event of a fault, ensuring that electrical systems are stable and secure.

In contrast, the other conductors in this context are not intentionally grounded. While the neutral is grounded in a 3-wire system to help stabilize the system, in a 2-wire single-phase system, it might only be necessary to ground one of the conductors; this is fundamentally different from grounding both or simply grounding the ground conductor, as those scenarios do not promote safety effectively for a basic 2-wire configuration.