Final answer:
Grounding is a safety measure in electrical systems where a conductor is connected to the earth to establish zero volts and provide a safe path for excess charge in the event of a fault. It mitigates the risk of electric shock and is governed by specific safety codes. Electrical safety systems and grounding are vital in minimizing dangers of thermal and shock hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Grounding in Electrical Systems
Grounding is an essential aspect of electrical safety that involves connecting a conductor to the earth to establish a reference potential of zero volts. The earth serves as a stable reference point because it can absorb a large amount of electrical charge without changing its potential significantly. Grounding this way ensures that in the event of a fault, such as a short circuit, any excess electrical charge has a safe path to the earth.
Electrical Safety: Systems and Devices
Electrical safety systems, including grounding and bonding, are crucial for preventing thermal and shock hazards. For example, if there is a short circuit to the grounded metal case of an appliance, and a person comes into contact with the case, the grounding system provides a low-resistance path to earth, which helps to minimize the risk of electric shock to the person. This grounding process is governed by specific codes and regulations to ensure safety in electrical installations.
To illustrate the concept of grounding with an example: suppose a person with a body resistance to earth of 3.00 kΩ accidentally touches a metal case that has undergone a short circuit. The case becomes energized, and the person may experience an electric shock. Proper grounding would ensure that the electrical current would preferentially flow through the grounding system to the earth rather than through the person, thereby providing safety.