So I bought a motorcycle that doesn’t work, and I’m trying to fix it up. I’m pretty new to electrical work, and having trouble with the concept of the ground. On my bike, the electrical components are grounded to the steel frame, and the negative battery terminal is also grounded to the frame.. so is the frame basically a conductor back to the negative terminal? Why is it not dangerous to be exposed like that unlike the insulated wires??
In general the concept of ground is a little hazy for me.
Thanks
In: Physics
Think of voltage like water pressure in a pipe. The electricity wants to flow from high pressure (the positive terminal) to low pressure (negative terminal).
If the pressure between two points is the same electricity won’t flow. The negative is called “ground” because it’s the same voltage (pressure) as the earth. If you’re touching the earth and the negative there’s no voltage/pressure difference so nothing flows. If you touch the positive cable then there is and you get a shock.
Most car and bike electrical systems use the chassis / frame as the negative, and yes it’s the conductor back to the negative terminal on the battery to complete the circuit.
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