Why does poor ground resistance pose a safety risk?

Poor ground resistance poses a safety risk primarily because it may allow current leakage to the chassis, which can lead to a shock risk. In medical environments, particularly during procedures where neurophysiological monitoring and electrical devices are used, ensuring proper grounding is essential. A low-resistance ground connection provides a safe path for electrical currents to dissipate without posing a threat to patients or staff.

When ground resistance is high, it compromises this safe pathway, potentially allowing stray electrical currents to flow through the equipment chassis. This situation can create a hazardous environment where personnel or patients may accidentally come into contact with electrical parts that have become energized, increasing the risk of electrical shock or injury. Therefore, maintaining low ground resistance is critical for the safety and efficacy of intraoperative monitoring equipment.