A device designed specifically to protect equipment from ground faults using sensors is called?

The device designed specifically to protect equipment from ground faults is the ground fault relay. This device continuously monitors the electrical current flowing through a circuit and detects imbalances that may indicate a ground fault. When a ground fault occurs—typically when current unintentionally goes to the ground—the ground fault relay senses this difference and promptly interrupts the circuit. This action helps to prevent potential hazards, such as electrical shock and equipment damage, by quickly disconnecting the power supply in the event of a fault.

In contrast, a surge protector is designed to protect equipment from voltage spikes rather than ground faults. A fusible link serves as a safety device that interrupts current flow when excessive current passes through it, but it does not specifically monitor ground faults. A load break switch allows for the safe disconnection of a circuit under load but does not have the same detection capabilities for ground faults as a ground fault relay. Thus, the ground fault relay stands out as the specialized device for this particular protective function.