Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [grounding]

Grounding (also called earthing) refers to the practice of providing an un-energized path back to the main neutral. This is done to allow any electrical faults to flow into that circuit, instead of anyone touching the fault. Use with the [electrical] tag.

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Had ground rod connection added to my electric panel, should old ground to copper water pipe be disconnected?

My 1970 house with slab foundation originally had a connection to the copper water line as the only ground. I had a pair of ground rods 6' 6" apart added and would like to disconnect the ground to the copper water supply pipe. Is this allowable and…
Jim Stewart
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Outlets not grounded? Remedy?

For some months, I'm renting an apartment in the Canary Islands. It looks like the plugs are not grounded. For example, when I connect my laptop, a ThinkPad T420si, then I feel an unpleasant sensation on my bare legs when connected to mains…
feklee
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Does a device with a two prong plug need surge protection?

I have an iPhone and iPad whose power adapters are both two-prong. Since I cannot ground them in a surge protector, is it necessary that these devices even be used with a surge protector?
user2676
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What happens when a ground fault occurs inside the main electrical panel before circuit breakers?

I am aware of what happens if a ground fault occurs outside of the electrical panel. For example, if a live wire were to touch the metal enclosure of some appliance, provided that the enclosure is connected to the ground conductor back to the panel,…
Baldrick
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Appropriate grounding of small mobile network rack

I am building a small (6U) self-contained networking rack in an enclosed case which will accept only power and coax from the residence. The only external connections on the rack are an IEC C14 inlet and an F-type coax connector. Inside the rack…
NReilingh
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Why are ground wires required to be so large if a short results in an immediate breaker trip?

The purpose of ground wire is just to carry current in milliseconds enough to trip the circuit breaker, it won't even get hot. So what is wrong with using very small ground wire? For example. You are using #4 AWG in the Hot and Neutral wires (70…
Samzun
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Multiwire Branch circuit and ground

I have a multiwire beach circuit which feeds the furnace and the laundry area. At the junction box where the neutrals are tied together, what do I do with the ground wires from each circuit (furnace & laundry)? Are they tied together? Not used?
Mak2290
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Can an inspector require a specific grounding technique?

I had been taking classes to become an electrician at one of the bigger community colleges in my area (specifically LBCC) and my brother had been doing some renovation on his own home and asked me to help out so I wired up the boxes and switches and…
Goku Gohan
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Is it safe to ground/earth an extension cord with the radiator?

I just moved into a dutch student house without any grounded plugs which is quite usual around here. I get the 'Macbook Tingle' after some time, which solved by nudging the Macbook to the Radiator. and now I'm about to connect more computer…
TreeHouseBuilder
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Grounding Help! (System equipotential bonding vs Array bonding vs AC conductor PEN earth stake)

I've been doing a lot of reading trying to get my head around what the right grounding system is to implement for a theoretical small PV minigrid (<10kW with distribution distances <300m), isolated from an external AC grid. I understand that the…
natashaxh
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Is an ungrounded outlet for a gas stove a safety hazard?

House was built in the 50's and there is a 3 prong outlet but no ground wire. I've tested it best of my knowledge, the metal casing is not ground either. 2 black and white wires. Basically, am I going to kill myself cooking dinner one day? Model#…
user111225
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Grounding requirement for 24vdc off grid lighting system

We are a sign company and our client wants his new illuminated (LED) ground sign to be powered by solar with battery storage. We have it all spec'd out but I want to make sure I'm following code but I can't find this answer. Does this 24vdc, off…
Paul Jester
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Grounding a 2 gang metal box in a wet area

In my pool area, I have a metal box that has 2 switches (spa air and pool light). Each switch has a green screw and the box itself has 2 green screws. There is also ground coming into the box. How are the grounding connections to be made. The box is…
user59411
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Should outdoor deck gazebos or grills be grounded?

We recently put up a put up a gazebo on the deck of our condo unit to provide some much needed shade. The gazebo is 10'x12' and the deck is 12'x16'. The frame is light gauge hollow steel thats powder-coated. The frame slants up from the sides to a…
Skip K.
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Apartment with no grounding/earthing... do I really need it?

Just a quick question. I don't know much about electricity, so here it goes. I got an apartment where there is no grounding. In fact, there is no grounding for the whole building. I have 110v and 220v appliances installed. Do I need to be worried…
freethinker6
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