Why You Need to “Ground” Electrical Currents

From the refrigerator in your kitchen to the iron you use to straighten clothes, metal components are present in a variety of appliances you use at home. And logically speaking, any contact made with these items should cause electrocution since metals are good conductors of electricity. However, this doesn’t happen because the components are insulated. We also don’t get electrocuted when the insulation fails, and that is because of grounding. ECRA & ESA Services Toronto & GTA, your trusted local electric company, discusses more today. Master Electricians

What is Grounding?

Simply speaking, grounding means creating a backup pathway for electrical currents to flow into the ground in case problems arise in your wiring system. This alternate route in your home’s wiring system prevents harmful situations and electrocutions by rerouting energy into the soil. When having an electrician in Toronto & GTA install your wiring system, be sure to ask them if you have a grounding system in place. Master Electricians

Why You Need to Ground Your Home’s Electrical System Master Electricians

To fully understand the importance of grounding, you should first understand how electrical currents work. In your home’s wiring system, these often consists of electrons flowing within the circuit wires. This current has a negative and a positive charge that’s created by huge generators operated by your utility company.
Electricity returns its electrons to ground, meaning discharging the negative energy to return to equilibrium. This is often done through the neutral wires in your electrical system. When your wiring system is compromised, however, this current flows through other materials instead, such as the wood framing or other flammable materials. This often happens in short circuit situations that can lead to electrical shocks and fires.
To prevent any danger even if your electrical system malfunctions, you need to ground it. This provides the electrical current with a pathway of least resistance that can be followed back into the ground. For instance, if a wire becomes loose or an animal gnaws through it, the grounding system will channel the current back to the ground before it can pose a risk.
If you are still unsure of how grounding works or how it can benefit your home, feel free to speak with us. ECRA & ESA Services Toronto offers electrical installation and maintenance services to ensure your home’s electrical system is safe and up to code. Our electrician in Toronto & GTA also offer professional repair services. Send an enquiry today!