Difference between Earthing and Grounding

Earthing:

Earthing can simply be defined as the process of protecting against unwarranted

spikes and bouts of electricity that can cause damage to life and property.

Therefore it is important to remember these key differences between the two. One

needs to understand that they both are referring to the same process.

Grounding:

Grounding is similar to Earthing, which achieves insulation against accidental

currents. The main live wire is connected from a power supply to power an

appliance. However, the other portion of the wire is led under the earth. This is

done in case of an accidental cut in the circuit to avoid overloading and other

dangerous side effects.

Earthing VS Grounding

Earthing Grounding

This method protects human beings from This method protects the entire power

electric shocks. system from malfunctioning.

The wire used for grounding is black in

The earth wire used is green in colour.
colour

Grounding is primarily used for

Earthing is primarily used to avoid electric
unbalancing when the electric system
shocks.
overloads.

Earthing is located under the earth pit, between It is located between the neutral of the

the equipment body and the underground pit. equipment being used and the ground.

To ensure the safety of electrical circuits there is an alternative path for high and

dangerous currents to flow to the Earth so that the problems related to electrical

shock and damage to the equipment do not occur. Earthing and grounding are

essential concepts in electrical systems that involve connecting electrical

equipment and structures to the ground or Earth's surface. The main objective of

earthing and grounding is to provide safety, protect against electrical hazards, and

ensure proper functioning of electrical systems. The main difference between

Earthing and Grounding is that Earthing is primarily used to avoid electric shocks

while the latter is used to protect the system from an imbalance of power and

current.

What is Earthing?

The metallic connection between electrical machines and devices with the Earth

plate, commonly known as the Earth electrode, through a thick wire of low

resistance to provide safety is known as Earthing.

It is basically the connection of non-current-carrying parts (metallic parts) of an

electrical system set up to the Earth to discharge electrical energy without any

danger. If the earthing is done correctly and if the metallic part comes in contact

with the wire it will be discharged into the Earth. Due to the zero potential of

Earth, a large amount of current can flow through it even if the current exceeds the

value of the fuse.

What is Grounding?

It is a very similar concept to Earthing. Earthing is generally used to protect

humans from an electric shock or malfunction of electrical systems. Grounding is

used to insulate the entire power system or an electrical system from

malfunctioning.
Here, the main live wire is connected to the electrical appliance and the other part

of the wire is connected to the Earth/ soil. This protects the appliance from

overloading and malfunctioning due to accidental power cuts.

1. What do you mean by Earthing?

Earthing is defined as the process of protecting against unwarranted spikes and

bouts of electricity that can cause damage to life and property.

2. What do you mean by Grounding?

Grounding is similar to Earthing, which achieves insulation against accidental

currents. The main live wire is connected to a power supply to power an appliance.

However, the other portion of the wire is led under the earth. This is done in case

of an accidental cut in the circuit to avoid overloading and other dangerous side

effects.

3. What is the colour of the wire used for Earthing?

The earth wire used is green in colour.

4. What is the colour of the wire used for Grounding?

The wire used for grounding is black in colour.

5. Where is Grounding usually located?

It is located between the neutral of the equipment being used and the ground.