Earthing Questions

Safety is the main concern when operating any electrical equipment. Earthing is the most familiar technique to prevent mishappenings like a shock. It is the process of preventing electrical devices from electrical damage. It is defined as the process of instantaneous discharge of the electrical energy by transferring charges to the earth through low resistance wire.

An earthing system is also known as a grounding system. Earthing regulations vary from one country to another.

Types of earthing are:

• Pipe earthing
• Plate earthing
• Strip earthing

Pipe earthing is the most efficient technique. It uses pipes that are embedded vertically in the ground to work as earth electrodes. It is one of the most affordable earthing methods.

In plate earthing, an earthing plate made of copper or G.I is buried into the ground at a depth of more than 3 meters from the ground level. This earthing plate is embedded in an alternative layer of coke and salts.

Strip earthing is used in transmission processes. Strip earthing is also known as wire earthing.

Since the Earth’s potential is zero, it is treated as Neutral. Since low equipment is connected to earth using low resistance wire, balancing is achieved. Without considering the conductivity of the metal, they are used in electrical installations. Proper earthing ensures that metal does not transfer current. When proper earthing measures are taken, a sudden surge in voltage or overload does not affect the device and person. Earthing prevents the risk of fire hazards too.

These are some of the equipment that helps to achieve earthing temporarily: grounding mats, grounding sheets or blankets, grounding socks, and grounding bands and patches.

Read more: Earthing

Important Earthing Questions with Answers

1. State true or false: Earthing helps prevent the risk of fire hazards.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Answer: a) TRUE

Explanation: When the insulation fault arises, earthing helps prevent the risk of fire hazards.

2. Earthing helps to prevent

1. Water leakage
2. Current leakage
3. Storms
4. Device upgrade

Answer: b) Current leakage

Explanation: It helps to prevent current leakage and avoid shock.

3. What is the most affordable type of earthing?

Pipe earthing is the most affordable and efficient method of earthing.

4. What are the types of Earthing?

Various types of earthing are:

• Pipe earthing
• Plate earthing
• Strip earthing

5. Choose YES or NO: Electric appliances like iron boxes, television, and refrigerator are connected to the earth wire while operating.

1. YES
2. NO

Answer: YES

Explanation: To safeguard all the equipment mentioned above, they are connected to the Earth while operating.

6. Devices that use functional earth connections are:

1. Electromagnetic interference filters
2. Surge suppressors
3. Option a) and b)
4. None of the options

Answer: c) Option a) and b)

7. An earth leakage circuit breaker is used to

1. Step-up voltage
2. Step-down voltage
3. Prevent shock
4. Balance the circuit

Answer: c) Prevent shock.

8. Give an example for high voltage surges.

Lightning strikes are an example of high voltage surges.

9. When a conductor is buried in the earth for an electrical earthing system, it is known as _____

1. Earth Electrode
2. Conductor burring
3. Conductor Earthing
4. None of the above options

Answer: b) Earth Electrode

10. What are the two types of Earth-leakage circuit breakers?

The two types of Earth-leakage circuit breakers are:

• Voltage operated Earth-leakage circuit breaker.
• Current operated Earth-leakage circuit breaker.

Practice Questions

1. Define earthing.
2. Explain each type of earthing.
3. Explain the procedure of earthing.
4. List the advantages of earthing.
5. Name some of the equipment for which earthing is necessary.