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The electrical connection is a safety measure that connects metal components in a building to prevent electric shock. Grounding systems are required in most countries for homes, commercial buildings, and industrial complexes. The grounding system provides a path for high voltage to flow into the ground and protects against short circuits. Without proper grounding, metal components can conduct electricity at different rates, causing different potentials and increasing the risk of electrocution. The electrical connection creates a continuous loop through all major metal systems in a building, ensuring that all components have the same potential.
The electrical connection is an electrical safety measure intended to prevent accidental electric shock. Buildings, whether residential, commercial or industrial, all have various metal work as part of normal construction. Water pipes, metal beams, and other non-current-carrying metal components within a structure can conduct electricity at different rates when in contact with exposed electrical wiring. By connecting these metal components together through a network of copper wires connected to a grounding system, each component will carry the same level of current if accidentally electrified.
Most countries require some form of grounding system for all structures, including homes, commercial structures, and industrial complexes. Aircraft, boats, and even structures in space require a similar grounding system, although such applications require an isolated system rather than grounding. Grounding systems provide a path for incorrect high voltage to flow and be absorbed into the ground, with the earth having the ability to absorb an unlimited amount of electricity. Lightning rods on residential structures are an example of a grounding system.
In the event of a short, overvoltage, or other unpredictable electrical event, grounding an electrical system provides a safe place to discharge the overflow voltage. While a grounded system can conduct an unlimited amount of electricity into the ground, it does not protect against different above-ground potentials in components not connected to the system. For example, steel beams that are not connected to a grounding system can conduct electricity at a different rate than copper piping. Accidentally touching an electrified copper pipe while simultaneously touching a steel beam can cause serious injury due to different electrical potentials and lack of grounding. Therefore, an electrical connection is required, whereby each metal component is connected by a copper ground wire which is then connected to a system ground, creating a complete circuit.
To illustrate the purpose of the electrical connection, consider a residential structure. Wiring for various outlets, appliances, heating and cooling systems, and other needs often intersects with plumbing fixtures, metal pipes, and other non-current-carrying metal surfaces. A rat could easily chew through the vinyl wire casing or conduits, leaving the exposed wires exposed near metal plumbing pipes. Without proper grounding and electrical connection, electricity can travel along water pipes, but not necessarily in metal conduits, possibly causing different potentials if a person accidentally touches them.
When considering commercial and industrial structures, the risk of electrocution due to the conductivity of metal is even greater, due to the increased use of metal beams, posts and other structural components. By practicing safe electrical installation practices, the electrical connection grounds each of these components, ensuring that in the rare event of a break in a given circuit, all metal surfaces are at the same potential. In short, the electrical connection creates a continuous loop through all major metal systems in a given building. Injuries from electric shock are still possible but not as serious, as all components have the same potential.
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