How the Bare Copper Ground Wire Promotes Safety

Wires serve one general purpose: as pathways for electrical current. There have been several wires that were made to fit this purpose and in different settings. However, wires can also serve as a form of protection from accidents. Accidents range from having a short circuit, touching of exposed electric parts and circuit overload. To minimize the risk of these accidents, a ground must be established in the electrical circuit. The ideal wire to use for this concept is the bare copper ground wire, which has saved a lot of households and other industries from damage.

A ground is simply a return path for the flow of electricity in cases that the normal circuit does not work. It is connected to the service neutral, which is in turn connected to the earth. It is not part of the normal flow of current, so even if someone touches it while the device is operating, he will not be electrocuted. When the circuit is running smoothly, the ground has no significance. But, if there is a presence of a shock hazard, the ground sets into action. For example, if there is a faulty current, it will flow into the ground and into the circuit breaker, tripping it. When the circuit breaker has been tripped, the whole current into the circuit will be disrupted, preventing damage.

The ground in the circuit can be seen as the third hole in the receptacle, below the neutral and hot prongs. In the electrical circuit, a bare copper ground wire acts as a ground. It does not have insulation because there is no electricity that flows in it in the first place. A part of the electrical circuit that works closely with the ground is the circuit breaker. As stated before, the circuit breaker is connected to the ground. In a household, for example, all the ground points are connected to one another, leading to the circuit breaker. Its function is to cut the flow of electricity when there is faulty wiring. This is different from a fuse, which burns when there is an overload. It can be reset manually or automatically, whatever the situation demands.

It may seem that a ground can be only used in indoor circuitry. There are types of wires that are manufactured to function as ground wires for those who are working outside. It can be in the form of a THHN  wire or Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon-coated wire. It is covered with insulation, usually in a green color. This insulation or jacket protects the wires from the moisture, heat and physical damages. Another form of wire that can be used as ground is THWN or Thermoplastic High Water-resistant Nylon-coated wire which is similar to THHN, only that it is used commonly in wet areas.

Whether it is a bare copper ground wire, or a THHN/THWN wire, a ground is established to promote and secure the safety of the people working with the electrical circuit. Without the ground, there could have been more accidents and casualties caused by faulty electrical wirings today.

WesBell Electronics Inc
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