Grounding Terminal: Why & When Needed?

[amaresh92]

why we should ground any terminal in a circuit? what is the reason behind this?when we required to ground any terminal>

advanced thanks.

 

[vk6kro]

Most circuits will function perfectly OK if they are grounded or not. Actually connecting something to the sand in your garden is very rare ... but see the note about mains operated equipment below.

The grounding usually shown on diagrams shows a point on the circuit which could be touched by humans without upsetting the operation of the circuit.

If circuits have to be connected together (like a preamplifier being connected to a sound system amplifier) then it is safe to connect the ground points on each circuit to the same point on the other circuit. In this case, the connection may be done with a shielded wire and the shielding is connected to ground at each end.

Mains operated equipment that has exposed metal parts should have the metal parts isolated from any internal voltages and must also connect to actual ground via the power outlet and the building power control board (switchboard). This is a safety precaution so that if there is some failure inside the appliance that would otherwise cause a risk of electric shock, current flows to ground and this causes a circuit breaker to activate or a fuse to blow. Either way, the power is removed from the appliance.

 

[amaresh92]

but in dc rectifier circuit the other terminal (+ve one) is grounded.why is it so?

 

[vk6kro]

You might have to post a circuit.

Normally, the negative terminal is connected to the metal case of a power supply or neither may be connected and the maker gives you the choice of which side you want grounded.

It doesn't matter. It just means that you want a power source that is negative with respect to ground or you might want a positive voltage with respect to ground.

 

[DeeNos]

Grounding terminals in a circuit is essential for ensuring the safety and proper functioning of the circuit. The main purpose of grounding is to provide a low resistance path for any excess electrical current to flow into the ground, rather than through a person or equipment. This helps prevent electric shocks and protects against potential fires.

Additionally, grounding also helps to stabilize the voltage in a circuit by providing a reference point for the electrical current to flow to and from. This allows for more accurate and consistent readings and prevents fluctuations in voltage that could damage equipment or cause malfunctions.

There are several situations in which grounding a terminal is necessary. One common example is in the case of a fault or short circuit. Grounding the terminal in this situation allows for the excess current to be safely diverted away from the circuit and prevents damage to the equipment and potential harm to individuals.

Grounding is also important for equipment that produces high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI). By grounding the terminal, any excess EMI is directed into the ground rather than interfering with other nearby circuits or electronic devices.

In summary, grounding terminals in a circuit is crucial for safety and proper functioning. It helps prevent electric shocks, protects against fires, stabilizes voltage, and reduces interference. It is important to properly ground terminals in any circuit to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the equipment and individuals using it.