If internal insulation fails, dangerous voltages may appear on the exposed conductive parts. Exposed conductive parts of electrical equipment are connected to ground, to protect users from electrical shock hazard.
In electrical engineering, ground or earth may be a reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltages are measured, a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the Earth.Įlectrical circuits may be connected to ground for several reasons. Most electrical codes specify that the insulation on protective earthing conductors must be a distinctive color (or color combination) not used for any other purpose. Reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltages are measured A typical earthing electrode (left of gray pipe), consisting of a conductive rod driven into the ground, at a home in Australia.
