Electrical Grounding Definition
Electrical grounding is the process of connecting electrical systems to the earth to ensure safety and stability. It protects people and equipment by redirecting excess electricity, such as lightning or electrical faults, into the ground, thereby reducing the risk of shock and fire hazards.
What is a good Electrical Grounding Definition?
Electrical Grounding is best described as a physical wiring path that provides a route for short-circuit current to flow to the earth in the event of a fault in the power system. Electrical grounding:
✅ Redirects excess electrical current safely into the earth
✅ Prevents electric shock, fires, and equipment damage
✅ Stabilizes voltage levels and improves circuit protection
A grounding and bonding system requires a physical connection between equipment and the earth, achieved through a ground rod driven into the ground.
Electrical grounding, also known as earthing, is a fundamental safety practice in all electrical systems. It involves connecting parts of the electrical circuit to the earth to protect people and equipment from electrical faults, surges, or lightning strikes. To explore the broader context of grounding in power systems, please visit our page on electrical grounding, which explains how it protects both people and equipment from electrical faults.
Industrial Electrical Grounding
Electricity in any industrial, commercial, institutional or residential wiring network is actually a flow of electrons moving through wires. This electricity flow is constantly seeking the shortest possible route to the earth. Hence, if there is a short circuit, the grounding and bonding system provides a direct route to the earth, rather than through people and equipment. The grounding and bonding system becomes a controlled pathway to earth, which is preferable to the current flowing through a person or piece of equipment, as it can be injurious and damaging. For a deeper look at code requirements, visit our detailed guide on electrical grounding code, which includes NEC and CEC standards.
In electrical installations, grounding conductors, such as the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) and the grounding electrode conductor (GEC), play a crucial role in establishing a safe path for fault current. Understanding the role of a grounding electrode conductor helps explain how fault currents are safely carried to earth in modern systems. These conductors connect non-current-carrying metal parts of electrical equipment to the grounding electrode, typically a ground rod or metal water pipe, ensuring a direct connection to the earth. This setup enables the safe redirection of any fault current from a short circuit, ground fault, or electrical surge away from people and sensitive equipment. A properly installed protective earth system minimizes the risk of electric shock and supports the overall integrity of the electrical distribution system. Learn how grounding and bonding work together to ensure electrical continuity and personnel safety in industrial and commercial facilities.
How does electrical grounding work?
In any electric power circuit, there is an active wire that supplies the power, a neutral wire that carries the current back, and a ‘grounding wire’ that provides an additional path for the current to return safely to the ground without causing danger to anyone in the event of a short circuit. The ground connection provides a path for electric current to flow, for instance, from a circuit breaker or electrical box through an electrical connection to a cold water pipe that extends into the earth, thereby assisting in dissipating energy into the actual ground. A reliable grounding system is essential for maintaining power quality and protecting sensitive electrical infrastructure.
The National Electrical Code and the Canadian Electrical Code provide guidelines to ensure the proper installation of ground wires in an electrical system, aiming to prevent potentially hazardous electric shock accidents. If you're unsure whether a facility is properly earthed, see our guide on how to check if an area is grounded for easy methods and safety tips.
Electrical Grounding Training Course Page
Grounding And Bonding Definitions (Article 100: National Electrical Code)
Bonded (Bonding). Connected to establish continuity and conductivity.
Bonding Conductor or Jumper. A reliable conductor to ensure the required conductivity between metal parts required to be electrically connected.
Bonding Jumper, Equipment. The connection between two or more portions of the equipment conductor.
Bonding Jumper, Main. The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the equipment conductor at the service.
Bonding Jumper, System. The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the supply-side bonding jumper, or the equipment grounding conductor, or both, at a separately derived system.
Ground. The earth.
Ground Fault. An unintentional, electrically conducting connection between an ungrounded conductor of an circuit and the normally non–current-carrying conductors, metallic enclosures, metallic raceways, metallic equipment, or earth.
Grounded (Grounding). Connected (connecting) to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection.
Grounded, Solidly. Connected to ground without inserting any resistor or impedance device.
Grounded Conductor. A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded.
Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC). The conductive path(s) installed to connect normally non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded conductor or to the electrode conductor, or both.
Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which a direct connection to earth is established.
Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to an electrode or to a point on the electrode system.
Neutral Conductor. The conductor connected to the neutral point of a system that is intended to carry current under normal conditions.
Neutral Point. The common point on a wye-connection in a polyphase system or midpoint on a single-phase, 3-wire system, or midpoint of a single-phase portion of a 3-phase delta system, or a midpoint of a 3-wire, directcurrent system.
Separately Derived System. A premises wiring system whose power is derived from a source of electric energy or equipment other than a service. Such systems have no direct connection from circuit conductors of one system to circuit conductors of another system, except through connections made through the earth, metal enclosures, metallic raceways, or equipment conductors.
Ungrounded. Not connected to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection.
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