Electrical Term, “Grounding,” And Its Examples
Grounding
When you “ground” a tool or electrical system, you intentionally create a low-resistance path
that connects to the earth. This prevents the buildup of voltages that could cause an electrical
accident.
Grounding is normally a secondary protective measure to protect against electric shock. It does
not guarantee that you will not get a shock or be injured or killed by an electrical current. It will, however, substantially reduce the risk, especially when used in combination with other safety measures discussed in this course.
1910.304, Wiring Design and Protection, requires at times a service or system ground and an
equipment ground in non-construction applications. A service or system ground is designed
primarily to protect machines, tools, and insulation against damage. One wire, called the
“neutral” or “grounded” conductor, is grounded. In an ordinary low-voltage circuit, the white or
gray wire is grounded at the generator or transformer and at the building’s service entrance.
An equipment ground helps protect the equipment operator. It furnishes a second path for the
current to pass through from the tool or machine to the ground. This additional ground
safeguards the operator if a malfunction causes the tool’s metal frame to become energized.
The resulting flow of current may activate the circuit protection devices.
As someone who works at an electronical store part-time, my nephew feels like there are still a lot of things he should learn about those items. For me, the things you said about how every appliance must have a neutral wire to keep the electricity flow from being astray was such a solid point. I’ll share this article with him so he can reach out to the right person when necessary.