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An electrical ground is a reference point in a circuit that diverts excess electricity away from equipment and into the ground to prevent damage or danger. It is essential for safety and is built into most electrical devices, including plugs and outlets.
An electrical ground is a reference point built into an electrical circuit, used as a baseline when measuring other electrical currents. It also serves as the return path for the circuit. Its purpose is to allow any surges of electricity to be directed away from the circuit and into the ground, where it is absorbed harmlessly. In Britain the term used is ground or earthed to mean that an electrical circuit is earthed.
In power grid installation, an electrical ground describes a wire connected directly to the Earth. The wire usually runs along the body of real metal equipment cases. The purpose of the cable is to divert any excess electrical current away from the equipment.
If an electric current passes through the earth, the circuit breaks and the equipment no longer receives power. The ground did its job, however, preventing the additional current from destroying the equipment. If an electrical ground is not properly installed in the ground itself, electrical energy remains in the circuit and can cause fire and explosion.
Electrical circuits are designed to carry electricity, regardless of its shape. Static electricity can build up in a circuit due to poor insulation and create a dangerous situation where the circuit is overloaded with electricity. The ground is the escape route for this additional energy and is built into most electrical devices. Some devices, including those on airplanes and boats, have an electrical ground, even if they don’t actually connect to the Earth.
Electrical equipment is usually supplied with a permanently connected grounding conductor. In the United States, many electrical plugs have three prongs, arranged in a triangular formation, with two vertical prongs parallel to each other and a round conductor located underneath. This third conductor has a grounding pin built into the receptacle. The formation of the plug may vary in other countries.
Outlets in the United States are all designed to accommodate the three-prong plug. When installing the outlet, the third prong is connected to the electrical ground. This method ensures that everything plugged into an electrical outlet can be grounded.
People should never break the third prong of an electrical plug, and if it breaks, the product should be returned to the manufacturer. Electrical power to consumers varies widely, and any excess current can cause an ungrounded overvoltage.
