Ground rodsare an essential part of any electrical system. They serve as a safety measure to protect people and property from electric shock and fires caused by electrical faults.

In this blog post, we'll examine how ground rods work and their use in the electrical industry.

What are Ground Rods?

A ground rod is a metal rod driven into the earth, to provide a low resistance path to ground for electrical systems. The rod is usually made of copper or galvanized steel, which is corrosion-resistant and highly conductive. Ground rods are installed at the service entrance of a building, where the utility's power supply is connected to the building's electrical system.

How Ground Rods Work?

Ground rods work on the principle of electrical grounding. Electrical grounding creates a low impedance path to the earth for electrical current. Earth is a good conductor of electricity. Connecting an electrical system to the earth can safely redirect any electrical faults or surges away from the system and into the ground.

A lot of electrical energy is released when an electrical fault occurs in a system, such as a short circuit or lightning strike. This energy seeks the path of least resistance to ground, and without proper grounding, it can cause severe damage to the electrical system or even start a fire.

A ground rod provides a direct path for the electrical energy to flow into the earth. The rod is driven deep enough into the earth to ensure a low impedance path, meaning the resistance to electrical flow is meager. The electrical energy flows quickly and safely away from the electrical system and into the ground, protecting the electrical system and the people and property nearby.

How Ground Rods are installed?

Ground rods are installed during building construction or when upgrading an existing electrical system. The rod is typically driven into the ground using a pneumatic hammer or a manual driver. The rod should be installed where the soil is moist, as dry soil can increase the earth's resistance and reduce the grounding system's effectiveness.

Once the ground rod is installed, a copper wire is attached and connected to the electrical system's grounding conductor. This installation creates a direct path from the electrical system to the ground, providing a low-impedance way for any electrical faults or surges.

Conclusion

Ground rodsare an essential part of any electrical system. They provide a safe and effective way to redirect electrical faults and surges away from the system and into the ground. Proper installation and maintenance of ground rods can ensure the safety of the electrical system and the people and property nearby.

To know more about other product specifications in this category, visithttps://axis-india.com/contact-us/today. If you have any questions or concerns about your electrical grounding system or the installation of ground rods, contact us for assistance. We will help ensure your system is properly grounded and protected from electrical hazards.

Both commercial and residential premises now have valuable electrical assets such as electrical systems, appliances, gadgets, machinery, etc. Protecting from lightning strikes and power surges becomes mandatory. People living or working on a premise will also need protection from the sudden burst of electricity due to a lightning strike. Hence, a ground rod attached and installed to the electrical system is crucial.

The mode of operation of modern Ground Rods protects industrial machinery, commercial electrical assets and home appliances from power surges and lightning strikes. These rods are deeply embedded in the ground and get connected to the electrical system of a building. These rods are generally 1.5 inches in diameter and 8 – 10 feet in length. They reduce the standard modes of disturbances outside an LV installation, such as transformer breakdown or lightning strikes.

Benefits of installing grounds rods

Considering the characteristic features of a ground rod, here are the benefits an electrical system of a residential or commercial premise enjoys.

1.                  Proper dissipation of excess electric energy

The electrical systems of a building get connected to an electrical energy source or a transformer outside. The transformer transmitted a higher amount of electrical energy than required. The sudden spike in the electric potential will push a gust of electrical power through the system and fry the gadgets, appliances and machinery connected to it. A person operating those items may also get electrocuted.

These unprecedented events need all-time protection and prevention of damage. Earth rods are installed and connected to an electrical system. An earth rod provides a continuous way of dissipating the excess energy flowing in an electrical system, thus diverting it from the appliances and operators.

2.                  Lightning strike protection

During stormy weather, lightning strikes tall buildings and lone buildings. Towers, power distribution applications and high-voltage substations also get struck by lightning. The internal electrical system gets fried and destroyed due to the overflow of electrical energy. A ground rod installed and connected to an electrical system provides a safer path to dissipate the energy introduced by a lightning strike to the ground without harming anything or anyone.

3.                  Fault in the internal electric system or appliances

An electric appliance may malfunction, causing an improper flow of electricity. An undefined flow of electricity in other parts of an electric device will have no limiter to control the energy flow. Hence, an operator of the machine or appliance will get electrocuted if he uses the faulty appliance. The grounding system will provide a safer path to redirect the excess energy flow in the malfunctioning unit and keep the user safe.

Verdict

These are the prime benefits of Ground Rods installed in residences and commercial complexes. These days, earth rods are designed per current specifications to meet the grounding needs of high-rise buildings for better protection.