- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
I will soon be giving a presentation of basic electrical theory to non-engineers. There is something I want to say that I know they won?t believe, at least at first. Two things, actually. I would like confirmation that I have these two things right. Opinions, contradictions, and controversy are welcome.
Scenario: A person is using a portable tool with a metal case, but has it plugged into a non-grounded, non-GFCI receptacle. It has an internal short that energizes the case. The person receives a shock. I want to say that the path for current flow is from the panel, via the receptacle, via the power cord, into the inside of the tool, via the short circuit to the case, from there through the person?s hands, arms, torso, legs, and feet to the floor, from there into the ground, via the dirt to the ground rod, up the GEC to the panel?s neutral bar, which completes the circuit (i.e., the current has returned to its source). It sounds crazy, but it is the truth. Call this a "senior confidence moment," but I will ask anyway. Am I right?
Second question: Am I right in believing that utility companies use planet Earth as a neutral return path for transmission and distribution systems, from which it can be inferred that there is current flowing through the dirt all the time?
Scenario: A person is using a portable tool with a metal case, but has it plugged into a non-grounded, non-GFCI receptacle. It has an internal short that energizes the case. The person receives a shock. I want to say that the path for current flow is from the panel, via the receptacle, via the power cord, into the inside of the tool, via the short circuit to the case, from there through the person?s hands, arms, torso, legs, and feet to the floor, from there into the ground, via the dirt to the ground rod, up the GEC to the panel?s neutral bar, which completes the circuit (i.e., the current has returned to its source). It sounds crazy, but it is the truth. Call this a "senior confidence moment," but I will ask anyway. Am I right?
Second question: Am I right in believing that utility companies use planet Earth as a neutral return path for transmission and distribution systems, from which it can be inferred that there is current flowing through the dirt all the time?