BLOGS

During power surges, grounding offers excess electricity a safe path to flow. Grounding plays an important role in the safe and proper operation of any electrical installation. As one of the leading electrical equipment suppliers, we share with you some insights on improper grounding hazards:

• Grounding fault is dangerous: When an electrical system is not grounded properly, you are risking the safety of your electrical appliances against large electrical surges. A grounding fault can also trigger electrical fire which can be fatal.When electrical appliances are properly grounded, the chances of people receiving electric shocks are minimum.
• Do not use an appliance with broken plug: If the appliance is equipped with a three-wire cord and a three-pronged plug, it is grounded. The third wire and prong will provide the ground link between the metal frame of the appliance and the grounding of the wiring system. If an appliance has a broken ground wire or plug, do not use it otherwise you will receive an electric shock.
• Water pipes are used for grounding: Metal water pipes are widely used as a grounding material. It serves as a continuous path to the ground. If plumbing is used as a path to ground for fault current, all pipes should be made of metal. When plumbing pipes are made of plastic instead of metal, electrocutions and electric fires can occur as plastic does not conduct electricity.
• GFCIs can be a real life-saver: The best way to prevent ground faults is to equip the electrical system with GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters). These devices are specially designed to detect ground faults and shut off power to the affected circuit, thus protecting you from a dangerous electric shock. Unlike circuit breakers, GFCIs detect leakage currents rather than overloads. If the current does not flow along its intended path, GFCIs will cut the power supply to the affected circuit. A circuit breaker only trips when there is voltage fluctuation or overloading.