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.