Abstract :
Electricity is an energy that can serve useful purposes. When it flows in unintended paths, severe, sometimes fatal, consequences can result. Grounding is thought to make systems safe. A review of the way in which grounding does or does not improve the safety of a system can provide an understanding of how to improve safety. It is shown that simple grounding does not provide for safe systems. The fault return conductor and the overcurrent protective device, in combination, are the components that may prevent ventricular fibrillation and provide for safe systems.
Keywords :
bioelectric phenomena; biological effects of fields; earthing; electrical safety; electrical safety; fault return conductor; grounding; overcurrent protective device; ventricular fibrillation; Circuit faults; Conductors; Electrical safety; Grounding; Impedance; Programmable logic arrays; bonding; fault current; grounding;
