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An Earth cable, also known as an Earth wire or ground wire, is a conductor used in electrical systems to provide a safe path for electric current to flow to the ground or Earth in the event of a fault or malfunction. Its primary purpose is to ensure safety by preventing electrical shock and reducing the risk of fires.
In many electrical systems, there are three main types of wires:
Live (Hot) Wire: Carries the actual electrical current from the source to the load (device or appliance).
Neutral Wire: Completes the circuit and carries the current back to the source after it has passed through the load.
Earth (Ground) Wire: Provides a path for fault currents to safely dissipate into the ground, preventing the buildup of dangerous voltages in the electrical system and reducing the risk of electric shock.
The Earth wire is typically connected to a grounding electrode, such as a metal rod buried in the ground or a metal water pipe, to ensure a low-resistance path for current to flow into the Earth. If a fault occurs, such as a short circuit or insulation failure, and the live wire comes into contact with a conductive surface, the Earth wire provides a path for the excess current to flow safely to the ground, rather than passing through a person or causing a fire.
In appliances and electronic devices, the Earth wire might also be connected to metal components that could become live due to a fault. This helps prevent users from experiencing an electric shock if they touch a faulty device.
Overall, the Earth cable is a crucial safety feature in electrical systems, designed to protect both people and property from the hazards of electric faults and malfunctions.”