eli5: Whats the purpose for the ground wire?

Question

I understand if we touch the wire and were are on the ground it creates a complete circuit. So we get electrocuted.

But how does the ground or earth wire works, so that we don’t get electrocuted?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Electrician here. The Grounding conductor is for fire prevention / equipment protection as a path for fault current so it’s purpose is not personnel protection. That’s what GFCI is for. Over current protection devices and the fault current pathways (ground wire)that make them work are there to stop fires and protect equipment.

Edit: ELI5! It’s to prevent fires.