What is the main purpose of ground-fault protection in electrical installations?

The primary purpose of ground-fault protection is to protect against electric shock and fire hazards. This system is designed to detect ground faults, which occur when electrical current strays from its intended path and unintentionally flows to the ground. Such conditions can lead to severe shock hazards for individuals who might come into contact with the conductive parts.

Moreover, ground faults can generate excessive heat, which poses a significant fire risk due to arcing or unintended current paths. Ground-fault protection devices, such as circuit breakers and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), quickly disconnect the power when a fault is detected. This rapid response is crucial not only for protecting human safety but also for preventing potential damage to electrical installations and properties.

In contrast, while the other options touch on important aspects of electrical systems, they do not directly address the specific role of ground-fault protection. For example, preventing circuit overloads relates more to overcurrent protection, ensuring continuous current flow pertains to maintaining operation rather than safety, and controlling voltage surges focuses on protecting equipment rather than personnel safety.