Understanding Grounding/Earthing could save your life.

This video describes the correct symbols to use for circuit common and earth ground and connections to an enclosure or chassis. Grounding of laboratory instruments is described and demonstrated. The operation of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is explained and demonstrated. Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) from a switching power supply is shown.
The general configuration of the AC power circuit feeding structures in the USA is diagrammed and explained.
Here is a link to a video showing the internal parts of a GFCI ;
• Teardown: Leviton Grou...
Here is a link to a video providing detailed information on the AC power system in buildings in the USA.
• When and Why to Separa...

[@davelowe1977]

Good info.

[@Jimscoolstuff]

thanks for your comment.

[@ZacksLab]

Great video and great channel!
The word "ground" is extremely misleading and I wish people would stop using it all together. This is especially confusing to new folks learning electrical/electronic engineering. It would be more proper to call it the "reference" rather than "ground," perhaps reserving ground for when you're specifically referring to the reference that is earth ground.
The other oversight is that these references are set as the zero point for a particular domain/circuit out of convenience, but this does not mean it is zero volts relative to some other object. Even within the domain where it is thought to be zero volts, it can and will deviate when you consider the impedance of the reference structure, common impedance coupling, and HF currents.

[@rob8823]

Great breakdown! Thanks.

[@dandypoint]

You did not show what happens if the white wire is connected to the ground wire. I know a lot of people don't know about that case and think nothing would happen because both wires are at ground potential!

[@M0XYM]

I'm really enjoying and learning from your video's Jim - Thank you. In this particular video you explained the different ground symbols perfectly, but it then set me thinking - why do we use ground at all - surely a neutral and live wire are sufficient (well, apparently not!)? Can you explain why we ground sometimes and sometimes we do not? That would be a really useful video - and perhaps followed by a 'RF grounds' (can a safety ground and RF ground be combined? are they the same thing?) Thanks again Kevin

[@Jimscoolstuff]

Thank you for your idea for a video. The need for grounding starts with lightning. The power company must ground things so that the lines entering your home do not go to very high voltages above ground. Also wind blowing across power lines can generate very high static voltages. This is also true for large antennas.

[@paranoidzkitszo]

"Jolly good show!" -subscribed for some solid down to earth knowledge.

[@Jimscoolstuff]

Thank you for subscribing.

[@jeremiahbullfrog9288]

We've always used the first symbol (three horizontal lines) for "circuit common" for the last 30+ years. Interesting to learn that it has a special purpose.

[@Jimscoolstuff]

Many people no longer know the difference between "garbage" and "trash". Our language and symbols can be quickly eroded by misuse on the internet. Thanks for your comment.

[@jeremiahbullfrog9288]

@@Jimscoolstuff I would use garbage, trash, and rubbish interchangeably. Much like kids today use "racist" to mean "stereotypical" even though they are very different. I'm sad for the continual degradation of language.... which predates the internet, but our instant connectedness does seem to be accelerating the downfall. Thanks for your response :)

[@fotografm]

Great advice !

[@Jimscoolstuff]

Thanks for your comment.

[@knightchetly7458]

Thank you

[@Jimscoolstuff]

Thank you for your comment.