So all Grounding in Electrical Systems are not Created Equal! 

For clarification’s Sake, There are really 4 Types that I will be briefly discussing.

• Residential Grounding-Residential grounding systems protect people and pets from electric shocks and electrical fires. Home grounding usually includes grounding rods connected to the service panel and using ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in wet or moist locations.
• Commercial Grounding-protect against electrical hazards, ensure the continuity of service, and maintain system stability. Sturdy grounding systems in commercial settings usually include multiple grounding electrodes and extensive bonding.
• Industrial  Grounding-In industrial settings, grounding is fundamental for the safety and functionality of powerful machines and high voltage electrical systems. Industrial grounding must adhere to strict wiring standards
• Utility Grounding-  is the implementing electrical power lines and equipment to the earth (ground) through a singular conductor, creating a low-resistance path for excess electricity to safely dissipate in case of a fault, thus preventing electrical shock hazards and potential damage to the system;

So most of the discussion will evolve from the National Electrical Code’s Definitions Article 100. 

  1st and Foremost a Quick Shout out to all the Local, State, and Other Groups that conduct Inspections in the Electrical Industry. As much as they can create stress within my mind, These Groups and Individuals maintain, for the most part, a standard that is recognized in the industry, in the field of Real Estate, and ultimately in the Courts of the United States. These inspectors ensure a Level of Craftmanship, they verify an Engineering Process, and ultimately they provide documentation and peace of mind to the public. It may not always feel like these statements are true, however, that is my take on the process

  Ok, So as an Electrical Contractor that has been in the industry for approximately 40 years now, I can say that I have been a part of and heard of more failed inspections over the task of grounding than any other portion of an Inspectors Checklist. Today, I mostly deal with Residential Electrical Systems, But I have extensive knowledge and experience With Commercial and Industrial Electrical Grounding Installations and Applications.

  Grounding and Bonding are Essential For Electrical Safety to be achieved in any electrical system. So here are a Few Terms we will include to shed some light on How Grounding and The Electrical System Works. Also, we will dive into some practical explanations and hopefully dispel a few misconceptions.

  The National Electrical Code defines 

• Ground as Earth. It Defines 
• Ground Fault as an unintentional, electrically conductive connection between an ungrounded conductor of an electrical circuit and the normally non–current-carrying conductors, metal enclosures, metal raceways, metal equipment, or earth. 
• Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a ground-fault current exceeds the values established for a Class A device(  Class A ground-fault circuit interrupters trip when the ground-fault current is 6 mA or higher and do not trip when the ground-fault current is less than 4 mA.) Beware of “Open Neutrals” and “Reverse Phasing”
• Grounded (Grounding). Connected (connecting) to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection. This is the Neutral Wire
• Grounded, Functionally. (Functionally Grounded) A system that has an electrical ground reference for operational purposes that is not solidly grounded. A functionally grounded system is often connected to ground through an electronic means internal to an inverter or charge controller that provides ground-fault protection. Examples of operational purposes for functionally grounded systems include ground-fault detection and performance-related issues for some power sources 
• Grounded, Solidly. (Solidly Grounded) Connected to ground without inserting any resistor or impedance device.
• Grounded Conductor. A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded. Although an equipment grounding conductor is grounded, it is not considered a grounded conductor.
• Grounded System, Impedance. (Impedance Grounded System) An electrical system that is grounded by intentionally connecting the system neutral point to ground through an impedance device.
• Grounding Conductor,  Equipment (EGC). (Equipment Grounding Conductor)

A conductive path(s) that is part of an effective ground-fault current path and connects normally non–current-carrying metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded conductor or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both.

 It is recognized that the equipment grounding conductor also performs bonding.

  There are multiple listings in the National Electrical Code where additional requirements are listed in specific installation instances.

• Grounding Conductor, Impedance. (Impedance Grounding Conductor)

  A conductor that connects the system neutral point to the       impedance device in  an impedance grounded system.

• Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which a direct connection to earth is established.