At what location can underground cable conductors terminating in pad-mounted transformers be grounded?

Grounding underground cable conductors that terminate in pad-mounted transformers is essential for safety and system stability. The correct answer indicates that the transformers should be grounded directly at their location. This practice allows for effective fault protection and reduces the risk of electrical shock or fire by ensuring that any fault current has a path to the ground close to where the potential issue occurs.

Grounding at the transformer location ensures that any electrical surges, such as those caused by lightning strikes or switching actions, are mitigated effectively. Additionally, grounding at this point helps maintain a reference voltage for the system and improves the overall performance of the power distribution network.

Grounding at different locations, such as the main switchboard, service entrance, or near overhead lines, may not provide the same level of protection or might complicate the grounding scheme, which can lead to dangerous situations, equipment damage, or violations of electrical codes. Grounding should always be done close to the equipment to ensure the effectiveness of the grounding system.