In article ,
says...


Simplified explanation
Ground is for a return path to the service to help with tripping the
breakers

I thought that the primary purpose of the equipment/safety
ground was to provide a path to ground with lower impedance
than you. The fact that it also trips the breaker when
you get a short to the equipment casing is just a bonus.

There are many reasons they're separated. One biggie; if the neutral
opens, the grounds still remain at ground potential. The neutral
(downstream of the break) won't. If the ground and neutral are
connected together downstream of the open neutral, the grounds are now
energized. ...not good.


Neutral is a grounded conductor for 120v loads.

Ok, but this will confuse more people than it will help. It may be the
"grounded conductor", but it is *NOT* ground.

--
Keith