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ELECTRICAL GROUNDING PRINCIPLES

Electrical circuits may be connected to ground (earth) for several reasons. In mains powered equipment, exposed metal parts are connected to ground to prevent contact with a dangerous voltage if electrical insulation fails. Connections to ground limit the build-up of static electricity when handling flammable products or when repairing electronic devices. In some telegraph and power transmission circuits, the earth itself can be used as one conductor of the circuit, saving the cost of installing a separate return conductor.continue..


Grounding, Electrical, the connecting of electrical equipment and wiring systems to the earth by a wire or other conductor The primary purpose of grounding is to reduce the risk of serious electric shock from current leaking into uninsulated metal parts of an appliance, power tool, or other electrical device. In a properly grounded system, such leaking current (called fault current) is carried away harmlessly. Grounding is also used in manufacturing industries to prevent accumulation of hazardous static electrical charges.continue..

Starting in 1820, long distance electromagnetic telegraph systems used two or more wires to carry signals and return currents. Around 1836, Karl August Steinheil, a German scientist, discovered that the ground can be used as a return path to complete a circuit. He proposed that the Earth could function as a return conductor in telegraphy if the wire terminals were buried beneath the ground, according to Britannica.com. This development greatly changed the design of telegraph receivers, because it made the return wire unnecessary. As a result, the cost associated with telegraphic lines also decreased.continue..

Provides for the highest level of fault current to permit maximum ability for overcurrent protection for isolation of faulted circuit.Fault current may need to be limited if equipment ratings are to be met. Will trip on first fault (it is this factor that occasionally leads to use of ungrounded circuits). Provides greatest ability for protection against arcing faults. Provides maximum protection against system overvoltages because of lightning, switching surges, static, contact with another (high) voltage system, line to- ground faults, resonant conditions, and restricting ground faults. Limits the difference of electric potential between all un-insulated conducting objects in a local area.continue..

Overvoltage protection
Lightning, line surges or unintentional contact with higher voltage lines can cause dangerously high voltages to the electrical distribution system wires. Grounding provides an alternative path around the electrical system of your home or workplace minimizes damage from such occurances.

Voltage stabilization
There are many sources of electricity. Every transformer can be considered a separate source. If there were not a common reference point for all these voltage sources it would be extremely difficult to calculate their relationships to each other. The earth is the most omnipresent conductive surface, and so it was adopted in the very beginnings of electrical deistirution systems as a nearly universal standard for all electric systems.continue..

A fundamental aspect of electrical engineering, electrical grounding is the manner in which an electrical circuit is attached to the earth or the ground. The connection made with the earth is vital, for it uses the ground as a conductor. The earth is so comparatively large, any excess current traveling through a circuit is absorbed by dirt, water, rocks and everything else that comprise it. In a real-world application, without a ground a circuit would be potentially dangerous should anything go wrong with the wiring. continue..

A fundamental aspect of electrical engineering, electrical grounding is the manner in which an electrical circuit is attached to the earth or the ground. The connection made with the earth is vital, for it uses the ground as a conductor. The earth is so comparatively large, any excess current traveling through a circuit is absorbed by dirt, water, rocks and everything else that comprise it. In a real-world application, without a ground a circuit would be potentially dangerous should anything go wrong with the wiring. continue..

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