Which of the following protects a power line against damage from lightning by carrying the charge away from the power line?

Ground wires are an essential component in electrical systems, particularly in protecting power lines against damage from lightning. When lightning strikes a power line, the ground wire acts as a pathway for the electrical charge to travel safely into the ground. This helps to redirect the potentially destructive force of the lightning away from the more sensitive parts of the electrical system, such as transformers and circuit breakers, which could be damaged by the surge in electricity.

By providing a direct route to the earth, ground wires minimize the risk of damage and help maintain the integrity of the electrical infrastructure. This proactive measure is crucial in ensuring that the system remains operational during severe weather conditions.

Transformers and circuit breakers do perform safety-related functions in an electrical system, such as regulating voltage and interrupting current flow under fault conditions, but they do not specifically address the issue of lightning strikes. Phase wires are part of the power delivery system but do not serve the function of protecting against lightning. Therefore, ground wires are specifically designed to handle the excess charge from phenomena like lightning strikes, making them the correct answer in this scenario.