Earthing:

Meaning: Earthing means connecting the dead part (it means the
part which does not carry current under normal condition) to the earth
for example electrical equipment’s frames, enclosures, supports etc.

Purpose: The purpose of earthing is to minimize risk of receiving an

electric shock if touching metal parts when a fault is present.
Generally green wire is used for this as a nomenclature.

Under fault conditions the non-current carrying metal parts of an

electrical installation such as frames, enclosures, supports, fencing
etc. may attain high potential with respect to ground so that any
person or stray animal (छाडा) touching these or approaching these
will be subjected to potential difference which may result in the flow
of a current through the body of the person or the animal of such a
value as may prove fatal.

To avoid this non-current carrying metal parts of the electrical system

are connected to the general mass of earth by means of an earthing
system comprising of earth conductors to conduct the fault currents
safely to the ground.

Earthing is accomplished through bonding of a metallic system to

earth. It is normally achieved by inserting ground rods or other
electrodes deep inside earth.

Earthing is to ensure safety or Protection of electrical equipment and

Human by discharging the electrical energy to the earth.

Grounding:
Meaning: Grounding means connecting the live part (it means the
part which carries current under normal condition) to the earth for
example neutral of power transformer.

Purpose: Grounding is done for the protections of power system

equipment and to provide an effective return path from the machine
to the power source. For example grounding of neutral point of a star
connected transformer.
Grounding refers the current carrying part of the system such as neutral (of
the transformer or generator).
Because of lightening, line surges or unintentional contact with other high
voltage lines, dangerously high voltages can develop in the electrical
distribution system wires. Grounding provides a safe, alternate path around
the electrical system of your house thus minimizing damage from such
occurrences.

Generally Black wire is used for this as a nomenclature.

All electrical/electronic circuits (AC & DC) need a reference potential (zero
volts) which is called ground in order to make possible the current flow
from generator to load. Ground may or may not be earthed. In Electrical
Power distribution it is either earthed at distribution Point or at Consumer
end but it is not earthed in Automobile (for instance all vehicles’ electrical
circuits have ground connected to the chassis and metallic body that are
insulated from earth through tires). There may exist a neutral to ground
voltage due to voltage drop in the wiring, thus neutral does not necessarily
have to be at ground potential.

In a properly balanced system, the phase currents balance each other, so

that the total neutral current is also zero. For individual systems, this is not
completely possible, but we strive to come close in aggregate. This
balancing allows maximum efficiency of the distribution transformer’s
secondary winding

Micro Difference between Earthing & Grounding:

There is no major difference between Earthing and Grounding, both means

“Connecting an electrical circuit or device to the Earth”. This serves various
purposes like: to drain away unwanted currents, to provide a reference
voltage for circuits needing one, to lead lightning away from delicate
equipment. Even though there is a micro difference between grounding &
earthing.

(1) Difference in Terminology:

In USA term Grounding is used but in UK term Earthing is used.

(2) Balancing the Load Vs Safety:

Ground is a source for unwanted currents and also as a return path for
main current some times. While earthing is done not for return path but
only for protection of delicate equipments. It is an alternate low resistance
path for current.

When we take out the neutral for a three phase unbalanced connection
and send it to ground, it is called grounding. Grounding is done to balance
unbalanced load. While earthing is used between the equipment and earth
pit so as to avoid electrical shock and equipment damage.
(3) Equipment Protection Vs Human Safety:

Earthing is to protect the circuit elements whenever high voltage is passed

by thunders or by any other sources while Grounding is the common point
in the circuit to maintain the voltage levels.

Earth is used for the safety of the human body in fault conditions while
Grounding (As neutral earth) is used for the protection of equipment.

Earthing is a preventive measure while Grounding is just a return path

The ground conductor provides a return path for fault current when a phase
conductor accidentally comes in contact with a grounded object. This is a
safety feature of the wiring system and we would never expect to see
grounding conductor current flow during normal operation.

Do not Ground the Neutral Second time When It is grounded either at

Distribution Transformer or at Main service Panel of Consumer end.

Grounding act as neutral. But neutral cannot act as ground.

(4) System Zero Potential Vs Circuit Zero Potential:

Earthing and Grounding both refer to zero potential but the system
connected to zero potential is different than Equipment connected to zero
potential. If a neutral point of a generator or transformer is connected to
zero potential then it is known as grounding. At the same time if the body
of the transformer or generator is connected to zero potential then it is
known as earthing.

The term “Earthing means that the circuit is physically connected to the
ground and it is Zero Volt Potential to the Ground (Earth) but in case of
“Grounding” the circuit is not physically connected to ground, but its
potential is zero (where the currents are algebraically zero) with respect to
other point, which is also known as “Virtual Grounding.”

Earth has zero potential whereas neutral may have some potential. That
means neutral does not always have zero potential with respect to ground.
In earthing we have Zero Volt potential references to the earth while in
grounding we have local Zero Volt potential reference to circuit. When we
connect two different Power circuits in power distribution system, we want
to have the same Zero Volt reference so we connect them and grounds
together. This common reference might be different from the earth
potential.

Earthing or Grounding
 Typically a third conductor, called ground (or protective earth), is used as a protection against
electric shock, and ordinarily only carries significant current when there is a circuit fault. Several
different earthing systems are in use.

Main difference between Neutral, Ground and Earth?

To understand the difference between Neutral, Ground and Earth, we must understand the
need of these things first.

Neutral
Neutral is return path for an AC circuit which is supposed to carry current in normal condition.
This current may be because of many reasons, primarily because of phase current imbalance
and some time because 3rd and 5th harmonics also.
 Also read: What is the difference between Real Ground and Virtual Ground?
There may be others reasons too but the magnitude of this current is in fraction of phase
current and in few case it can be even double of phase current. So Neutral wire is always
assumed to be charged (in active circuit). This neutral wire is given to ground (by grounding)
to make the second terminal of neutral wire at zero potential.
 Earth or Ground
Earth or Ground is for safety concerns against leakage or residual currents on the system
via least resistance path. While phase and neutral is connected to main power wiring, earth
may be connected to body of equipment or to any system which in normal condition doesn’t
carry current but in case of some insulation failure, is supposed to carry some minor current.
 Also read: The purpose of Earth or Ground wire in over-Head Transmission lines.
This current is not directly coming from live or phase wire, but is from secondary links which
was not in touch with live system in normal condition. This current is usually much lesser than
main line current or phase current and mostly is in order of mA. But this leakage current is
good enough to kill someone or may risk fire. Such current are being provided a low
resistance path and sent to earth via earth wire.
Because of the difference in application we never mix grounding of neutral and earth.
However both are made grounded (of-course the process may be different). If both will be
mixed then the earth wire which is not supposed to carry any current in normal condition ,
may have some charges across and will become hazardous.
 Also Read: Grounding and Earthing Installation | Step by Step

What is Earthing?
Protective earthing includes measures for protecting the metal parts that do not
belong to the circuits, nor are they in direct electrical contact with them, but in
the event of a defect, a voltage can arise.
Earthing reduces that voltage and prevents the emergence of conditions that are
dangerous to the equipment, as well as the lives of people handling that
equipment or which can be affected by the defect or by moving in the vicinity.
According to the material from which they are made, we distinguish the
following types of earth-wires:
 tubes or rods (sticks);
 strips or wires;
 plates;
 reinforcement in concrete;
 metal water supply pipes;
 other buried constructions.

According to the placing method of earth conductors earthing can be:

 horizontal (surface);
 vertical (depth);
 angular.
According to the environment in which the earth rods are installed, there are the
following types:
 in the ground;
 in the foundation of the object.
The earthing is most commonly made of galvanized cast iron, copper, corrugated
iron or iron topped with copper, and in some cases other materials can also be
used.
 What is Grounding?
The grounding includes measures for protecting the part of the circuit, which
provides the desired function or the working feature of that circuit.
Grounding can be performed directly or indirectly. Direct grounding is carried
out by direct connection of the grounding system. Indirect grounding is
performed by binding to the grounding system through impedance (active
resistance, inductance, capacitance, or combinations thereof).
Lightning is the grounding of the lightning protection installation which serves
to remove currents during atmospheric discharge. Lightning should limit the
voltage on which the lightning rod comes, in order to prevent repeated surges in
the electrical circuits and the metal objects.
Grounding is performed on the same principles as earthing. Both the earthing
and grounding can be interconnected with an iron-galvanized strip. The
protective lightning installation consists of the following basic parts:
 Air terminals
 Down conductors
 Ground electrodes
In most cases, the air terminals consist of a galvanized iron strips. A strip is
placed so as to make an electrical wire network, with the highest areas of the
object covered. Also, if there are metal parts in an appropriate place, they can be
used as air terminals that, if they are of sufficient size (have suitable electrical
conductivity and thermal characteristics).
Down conductors are in most cases galvanized steel strips, and if the prescribed
conditions are met, the conductors can be replaced by metal parts that are
located on the building. With them, the discharge current is applied to the
ground through the grounding system. The grounding system consists of electro
conductive parts in direct contact with the ground.
In recent years, the use of foundation grounding has been high (a galvanized
strip in the foundation of the building, electrically connected to the
reinforcement).
Difference between Earthing and Grounding.
There is no different between Earthing and Grounding but these are the same terms used for
Earthing or Grounding.
Grounding is the commonly word used for earthing in the North American standards like
IEEE, NEC, ANSI and UL etc while, Earthing is used in European, Common wealth
countries and Britain standards like IS and IEC etc.
In simple words, Earthing and Grounding are synonyms. Both are similar words used for
the same thing.

Difference Between Earthing and Grounding

Earthing (grounding) in the power grid or in the power system includes
complexity measures and means that are undertaken in order to provide
conditions for normal operation of the system, safe operation and movement of
people and animals in the vicinity of the facilities which can come under voltage
in normal or hazardous conditions. That complex set of measures also needs to
ensure the protection of people and equipment from currents and voltages

occurring during atmospheric discharges.

Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeable, they present

different aspects of protection.
 Difference Between Earthing and Grounding
1. Definition of Earthing and Grounding

Earthing is characterized by the fact that a point of the plant belonging to the
circuit is connected to the ground, so that the circuit itself is galvanically
connected to the ground.
Grounding, on the other hand, is characterized by the fact that the earth is
connected to the point of a plant that does not belong to the circuit and which
cannot come into galvanic connection with the circuit, but such a connection
cannot be avoided in case of failure in insulation.
Lighting protection serves to conduct the lightning current, i.e. the currents
caused by atmospheric damping, by connecting the lightning installation with
lightning rods. The lightning installation can be separate or connected with
protective earthing (grounding).

2. Purpose of of Earthing and Grounding

Earthing is used for the safety of the personnel operating the electric device,
whereas grounding is used for protecting the power system.

Earthing vs. Grounding: Comparison chart

 Summary of Earthing vs. Grounding
 Earthing and grounding are entirety of measures and means related to system
protection of electric shocks. Protective grounding is the grounding of metal
parts that do not belong to the current carriage or are indirectly in electrical
contact with them, but in case of failure they may come under voltage. Earthing
is the protection of the part of the circuit that provides the desired function and /
or operating characteristics of the circuit. It can be direct – by immediate
connection to the grounding system, and indirect – by means of connection to
the grounding system via impedance. Grounding also covers the lightning
protection which covers the lightning installation. The lightning protection
serves to conduct the atmospheric discharge current into the ground.
 The lightning installation should be dimensioned for the lightning impulse
conditions, so it is also called impulse grounding. Consequently, the earthing
continuously performs its function during the operation of the power system,
while the lightning protection functions only for the duration of the overvoltage,
and the grounding only for the duration of insulation failure.
 Short Circuit vs. Ground Fault
 Short Circuit: A short circuit occurs when a hot wire carrying a current and a
neutral wire touch each other. When this happens, a tremendous amount of
current flows, causing a fuse to blow or a circuit breaker to trip. Sparks may fly
and pop, and there may even be a small fire and smoke accompanied by the
smell of burning plastic.

 Ground Fault: A ground fault occurs when the hot wire carrying a current
comes into contact with a ground wire; with a grounded portion of a junction
box; or with a grounded part of an appliance or device. Similar to a short
circuit, large amounts of current are forced to flow through the fuse or circuit
breaker, causing the fuse to blow or the circuit breaker to trip.

Hot wires are identified by the color of the plastic coating on the copper wire:
black, red, or white with a black or red tape wrapping. Neutral wires may be
white or gray. Ground wires are usually bare copper but sometimes are green.

Illustration: J. R. Bee © The Spruce, 2018