Grounded vs. Grounding Wire Electric Company in Miami FYI
Have you ever wondered what the difference between grounded and grounding wire when it comes to electrical wiring?
As your expert electric company in Miami, we are going to tell you.
Believe it or not, the terms grounded and grounding are very similar, but their meanings are quite different.
Let us explain and then you will understand.
Grounded vs. Grounding Wire Electric Company in Miami FYI
First off, in any electrical circuit, there are two wires needed to complete any circuit. One is called the “hot wire” and the other is called “neutral” or “grounded”. In some cases, the neutral wire is referred to as a grounded wire.
To be honest, the correct term for this to be referred to is a “grounded neutral conductor,” but most times referred to as “the neutral” or the more popular term “the ground wire”.
Since the neutral or grounded wire is a mandatory part of the electrical path, grounded wires carry electrical current under normal operating conditions.
A grounded wire is required by the National Electrical Code to be white or gray in color on the customer side of the meter.
However, grounded wires on the utility side of the system do not generally have insulation.
Easy? Let’s learn more.
A “grounding” wire on the other hand is a safety wire that has intentionally been connected to earth. This is simple to figure out, because the grounding wire does not carry electricity under normal circuit operations.
It’s purpose is to carry electrical current only under short circuit or other conditions that would be potentially dangerous. For example, lighting storms in Miami.
Grounding wires serve as an alternate path for the current to flow back to the source, rather than go through anyone touching a dangerous appliance or electrical box. That is because this can cause serious injury if electricity flows through your body.
Now because of that, this is where people get confused. Grounding wires are commonly referred to as a ground wire even though it is more correctly called a “grounding” wire.
Loosely, some people will refer to this wire as the “case ground” since this wire is typically connected to the cases or outer parts of electrical boxes and appliances and tools.
The grounding wire is required by the National Electrical Code to be a bare wire, or if insulated, a green or green with yellow colored insulation.
See? Now hard. Good info, right? If you would like to learn more about electric wiring, read our blogs. If you need an electrician in Miami, just contact us.
Let us know.
Miami Electric Company is located in Miami, FL. We specialize in electricity and we are your expert electric company in Miami. We are your go to for all of your general electrician in Miami needs.
