Difference between

Earthing, Grounding and

Bonding?

ETO 23
Earthing
• Earthing is the connection
between the metallic
(conductive) parts (such as body
frame, metallic enclosure which
in non current carrying during
normal operation) of an electric
appliance or installation and
earth (ground).

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding

Earthing
• During the occurrence of any
fault in the system, the potential
of the non-current part of the
equipment raises.
• And, if anyone touches the body
of the equipment, then they may
get shocked.
• This earthing discharges the
leakage of the current to the
earth.

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding

Insulated Neutral System
• When the neutral of the generator is completely insulated from earth
or ship`s hull it is called insulated neutral system.
• It is very advantageous because it does not pose any danger to
human life even if there is a single earth fault because the whole ship
will be at same potential leading to no damage to machinery and life.
• If single fault occurs it will not cut or operate any protection
equipment and hence the parent machine kill keepon working.

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding
Earthed Neutral System
• When the generators neutral is connected to the earth or ship`s hull
it is called earth neutral system.
• A single fault can cause very large current to flow causing damage to
the machinery.
• But still it is used in HV systems because if there is only one earth
fault the machinery will trip and protect the equipment.
• HV systems like generator are generally earthed.Such high voltage
equipments are earthed by using a resistor.

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding
Grounding
• Grounding is the connection
between live parts of a machine
(which carries current in normal
operation) and earth such as the
neutral of a generator or neutral
point of a star connected power
transformer.

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding

Grounding
• This grounding provides an effective path to the fault currents from
the equipment to the power source which leads to protect the power
system installations and devices.
• Grounding is also used to balance the unbalance system.
• For example, all three phase (lines) become unbalanced when a fault
occurs in the system hence, the grounding discharge the faulty
current to the earth and make the system balanced once again having
the total neutral current as “0”.

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding

Bonding
• To connect two electrical
systems (such as wires,
equipment and pipes etc)
together to bring them at the
same potential level while they
are non-current carrying during
the normal operation.

Earthing,Grounding and Bonding