The electrical earthing is done by connecting the non-current equipment of the supply system to the ground. Grounding is similar to earthing, but not necessarily connected to the actual Earth but can be connected to a zero potential with respect to the other points in the circuit. So, basically earthing and grounding are almost the same concept applied in slightly different ways. In this article, we look at 8 differences between earthing and grounding.
Difference between earthing and grounding
| Sr.No | EARTHING | GROUNDING |
| Usage | Used in the International electrotechnical commission(IEC) standards. Check: IEC 60364 | Used in general as an alternative term to earthing. |
| Concept | The neutral part of the supply system is connected to the Earth(which has zero potential). | Grounding may be used to refer the connection to a reference point that has zero potential with respect to the other points in the circuit. |
| Types | •Neutral earthing: The neutral of the system is directly connected to the earth with the help of a GI wire. It is also known as system earthing. •Equipment earthing: They are provided to the electric equipment. The non-current carrying part of the equipment like their metallic frame is connected to the Earth with the help of conducting wire. | •Solidly grounded system: It is usually used in industrial, commercial, and institutional power distribution systems. •Resistance grounding: The resistance grounding is divided into two types; High resistance: They are used for small and medium industry applications where continuous operation is needed during the fault condition. Low resistance grounding: Done by connecting a small value of resistance to the grounding conductor or the rod. It is mostly used for the load which is connected below 220V supply. •Reactance grounding: In this method, a reactor is connected between the neutral point and the ground, and the magnitude of the ground fault current can be reduced by changing the reactance. •Resonant grounding: In this method, Peterson developed a coil that can limit the earth fault current in the undergrounded three-phase system. |
| Safety | Earth is used for the protection of the human body in conditions like short-circuit by ejecting the electrical energy to the Earth. | Grounding is utilized for the protection of electrical equipment from a spike in supply, build-up of static electricity, etc. Grounding provides an effective return path from the machine to the power source. |
| Working | They are achieved through the connection of a metallic system to the Earth. | They ensure an alternative safe pathway for the current to flow back to the ground in case of a fault. It is an electrical path around the electrical system of your house to protecting it from high voltage produced in the lines. |
