Electrical grounding, also referred to as earthing, is used to control the flow of electricity on electrical circuits. Electricity flows much like water through plumbing. When electricity encounters a lower resistance path, it follows that path. Grounding provides an escape route for extra electrical current to flow should there be something wrong with your circuit.
Grounding is provided either by using metal stakes driven in the ground or metal-clad cables connected to buried metal rods. The stakes or rods do not supply electricity to the earth, but they provide an escape route for current through the resistance of soil should anything go wrong with your electrical system. Grounding is very important for protecting people from injury by electrical shock and minimizing damage to equipment that may be plugged into a faulty circuit.
So, how does electrical grounding work?
An electric circuit is complete when a power source’s positive and negative terminals are connected through one loop of wire and then combined at the load end. The path must be continuous between both poles. When something goes wrong, the path of least resistance is the path that electricity follows. The load end of the circuit is where the problem usually occurs. If the insulation is damaged, electricity will travel through a person’s body standing nearby then to the ground. This can cause injury from the shock or even death due to electrocution.
A grounding wire is used to provide a continuous path for electricity to flow should there be a problem. A grounding wire parallels the hot wire in an electrical circuit and provides a bridge for electricity to flow should the insulation on either of the wires become damaged. When there is a mishap, rather than causing an energy build-up, electricity flows back to the ground.
The goal of grounding is to have electricity flow through a path of least resistance rather than through the body of a person standing nearby. If a person or animal touches an electrical wire that is not properly grounded, they will be electrocuted. For electricity to dissipate into the ground, a grounding rod must be attached to the electrical system. The grounding rod is then driven into the earth to make contact with non-corrosive soil. At this point, electricity will flow through the ground rather than through any living thing.
Grounding rods are often made from aluminum but may also contain copper or steel components. Aluminum does not corrode easily, and it offers good conductivity while being lightweight. The grounding wire should always be attached to this rod for safety purposes. The grounding wire serves to complete the electrical circuit.
A person should always know what type of electrical servicing they have on their home before attempting any repairs themselves, or they should better call a professional electrician to do the job. Improperly working electrical wiring can lead to electrocution, fire, or other hazards which may result in fatal injuries.
To summarize, electrical grounding works to prevent injuries by providing an alternative path for extra current to follow should anything go wrong with your circuit. The practice ensures that there will always be enough resistance so that people will not be electrocuted even if they receive a shock from faulty equipment. Even when everything seems fine on your electrical system, grounding provides protection against mishaps before they happen.
