A grounding conductor is a normally non-conducting connection, which is intentionally connected between an electrical enclosure or equipment case and the Earth. Its sole function is to provide a low resistance path to ground. If a short develops between an electrical device's phase wire and its case or enclosure electrical current will take this low resistance path to ground. In the marine environment the grounding conductor is green or green with a yellow stripe. It is held to the Earth ground potential (zero volts).