Final answer:
Power ground connections should be low impedance, short, and direct. Appliances are connected in parallel for the same voltage across each, while batteries in a flashlight are connected in series for higher voltage. Transmission of power at higher voltages reduces line losses over long distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The power ground connections of generators, transformer rectifiers, batteries, and other heavy-current loads should be assembled with low impedance, short, and direct connections. This approach helps to ensure that any fault currents are efficiently conducted away from sensitive equipment, reducing the likelihood of damage or interference. Appliances in electrical systems are typically connected in parallel to provide the same voltage difference across each appliance, as opposed to in series, where the voltage would be divided amongst the appliances.
In the case of a flashlight, batteries are connected in series to provide higher voltage and power output. For electrical circuits, such as the one depicted in Figure 20.3, a closed path for current flow is provided by conductors connecting a load to the terminals of a battery. Using higher voltage for transmission along power lines reduces the required current, thereby decreasing line losses over long distances.