The key difference between grounding and earthing is that earthing refers to the circuit being physically linked to the ground, ensuring a zero-voltage potential, whereas grounding implies that the circuit lacks a physical connection to the ground but still maintains a zero potential.
What is Grounding?
Grounding, much like earthing, is a technique used to insulate electrical devices against accidental currents. In this method, the primary live wire connects to the power source for appliance operation, while the other part of the wire is routed underground.
Grounding involves directly connecting the current-carrying component to the ground, serving as a pathway for any leakage current. This safeguards power system equipment from potential damage during equipment faults, particularly when unbalanced currents occur across the three phases.
Grounding not only enhances equipment safety but also boosts overall service reliability.
What is Earthing?
Earthing is a crucial process aimed at safeguarding against unexpected electrical surges that can potentially harm both appliances and human lives. It involves establishing a connection between the non-current-carrying components of equipment and the Earth.
In the event of a fault in the electrical system, the voltage of these non-current-carrying equipment parts can rise. If someone comes into contact with the equipment’s body during this situation, they are at risk of getting an electric shock.
Earthing serves the purpose of dissipating this excess current leakage into the Earth, thus preventing electric shocks. Additionally, it offers protection to our household appliances from lightning strikes.
To implement earthing, we connect various components of the electrical installation to the Earth using conductors or electrodes, typically buried in the soil at a certain depth below the ground surface.
Grounding vs Earthing
The basic difference between grounding and earthing is given below:
| Grounding | Earthing | |
| Definition | The current carrying part is connected to the ground. | Between the equipment body and the earth pit which is placed under the earth’s surface. |
| Location | Between the neutral of equipment and ground. | It has zero potential. |
| Zero Potential | To avoid electrical shock. | It discharges the electrical energy to the earth. |
| Protection | Protect the power system equipment. | Protect the human from electric shock. |
| Application | Provide the return path to the current. | It discharges the electrical energy to earth. |
| Types | Three (Solid, Resistance, and Reactance grounding) | Five (Pipe, Plate, Rod earthing, earthing through tap, and strip earthing) |
| Color of wire | Black | Green |
| Use | For balancing the unbalanced load. | The neutral of the generator and the power transformer is connected to the ground. |
| Examples | The enclosure of the transformer, generator, motor, etc. is connected to the earth. | The neutral of the generator and the power transformer is connected to ground. |