Main Difference Between Earthing and Grounding

The main difference between Earthing and Grounding is, Earthing is the connection of the body of electrical equipment to the ground or earth and Grounding is the connection of a terminal of an electrical source to the Zero potential respect to earth or ground. Or we can say earthing is the physical connection to the earth but the grounding may not physical connection directly to the earth.

I think you may not understand the above statement. Don't worry we will discuss in detail in the below paragraph. Many differences can be written on the basis of many things but you should know the main difference between the Earthing and Grounding.

I read some books which say that Earthing and Grounding are the same. These words are used in different countries. Such as, in Britain, European countries Earthing word is used and in North American sites Grounding word is used.

Anyway, today we will discuss the differences between Earthing and Grounding which are given in most of the books.

EARTHING

Earthing is the connection between the body of any electrical equipment to the earth or we can say when any dead part(which does not conduct any current in normal condition) of an electrical system is connected to the earth then it is called Earthing.

Why we need Earthing?

       1. Earthing is mainly used to protect human and animals from electrical shock.

       2. Earthing is also used to protect electrical equipments from the damage from overvoltage, short circuit, leakage, lightning etc.

       3. Suppose for any reason, the live wire has touched to the body of the electrical equipments, so in this case, if we touched the equipment we will get the electrical shock, but if the body of the equipment is connected to the earth then we will not get shocked even after touching the equipment.

Where we do Earthing?

        1. In substations, houses, offices the earthing is used with the electrical equipments to avoid electrical shock.

        2. The topmost wire of the transmission line is used for earthing. The topmost wire of the transmission line is called earth wire. This wire or conductor is not connected to any equipments, it only connected to the earth. Here the earthing is provided to protect the others conductors of the transmission from the Lightning. When lightning occurs, the produced electrons or charges due to lightning is discharge through the earth wire.

GROUNDING 

When a terminal of an electrical source or live part(which conduct current in normal condition) of an electrical system is connected to the any zero potential point respect to the earth then it is called Grounding. For example, the neutral of the three-phase system or single phase system is connected to the earth.

Why we need Grounding?

         1. The Grounding is mainly used to balanced the three-phase system. Suppose in a three-phase system, three different loads are connected which draws different currents. So, in this case, an unbalance current will flows. If the system is unbalanced then the Transformer will be heated quickly and may be damaged. If we connect the neutral to the ground then the system will be balanced.

        2. To keep the neutral point Zero Potential, neutral grounding is used.

        3. Grounding is also used to provide a return path from load to source. 

Where we do Grounding?

      1. In substations, the neutral of the power transformers are connected to the earth.

      2. In generating stations the neutral of the generators are connected to the earth.

      3. In older days, In DC transmission system the negative terminal of the generator was connected to earth.

Difference between Earthing and Grounding:

I have tried to convenience you the difference by the below figure. So, look closely at the image below to understand easily,

As you see in the above figure, in a substation the secondary of the transformer is star connected. The neutral point is connected to the earth or ground, it is called Grounding. Again you can see in the Load side, the body of the load is connected to the earth which is called Earthing. So you may understand, what is the actual difference between the earthing and grounding.

  

Let's see the difference between Grounding and Earthing at a glance,

Earthing VS Grounding:

SL NO.	Earthing	Grounding
1.	Earthing is used to protect the human and animals from electrical shock	Grounding is used to balance the three-phase system and to keep the neutral zero potential.
2.	Earthing cannot handle the system if overvoltage occurs.	Grounding can handle the system if overvoltage occurs.
3.	Earthing is mainly done with the dead part of the electrical system.	Grounding is mainly done with the Live part of the electrical system.
4.	Earthing is always done with the body, encloser of electrical equipment.	Grounding is always done with the neutral terminal, not anybody or enclose etc.
5.	Earthing is used to discharge the current which existing in the body, encloser of electrical equipments.	Grounding provides a return path from the load to source.
6.	Generally, the green wire is used for Earthing.	Generally, the black wire is used for Grounding.

Read Also:

• Why we use 220V, 50Hz AC at home instead of DC or other voltage?Full Explanation.
• Which is more dangerous AC or DC-Explained in details
• What is Electric Shock, What causes an electric shock Current or voltage?
• Which side of Transformer is provided for Tapping and Why?All reasons explained.
• Application, Advantages and Disadvantages of all types of Circuit Breaker

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