Like the title says what does it exactly mean when something is grounded? What does it serve for with humans and electrical system?
Also presume someone somehow gets zapped by a massive amount of energy from some source: is it safer or worse to be grounded and does it matter what we are grounded to?
In: Physics
Unfortunately, in electrical engineering that term has multiple slightly different meanings, depending on the context.
For a layman, it usually refers to being at the same voltage level as “Earth ground” or “safety ground”. Some devices have a metal chassis or casing that is actually connected to the ground. This provides shielding against unwanted electromagnetic radiation, and it can act as a safety feature. If a high voltage fault occurs, it is likely to go to this piece of metal *before* it gets to a human, thus protecting the human.
If you’re going to get hit by high voltage, it’s best to NOT have your body between it and Earth ground. The electricity is going to tend to flow there, and if you are in the way it’s going to flow through you. If the electrical charge carries enough power (like lightning or a high voltage line) this can be a very bad thing.
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