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Is this grounding and bonding analogy correct?

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ericsarratt

ericsarratt

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I have more of a biological science background and tend to draw on that when trying to understand things.

Lately, I have been trying to understand grounding and bonding and I had a thought:

Is the bonding system an "extension" of the grounding system (rod) in the same way that the central nervous system is an extension of the brain?
 
ActionDave

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No. That analogy puts too much emphasis on the connection to earth. An electrical system can function quite well without a connection to earth.

Bonding is intentionally connecting conductive parts together. Grounding/earthing is taking one conductor of an electrical system and intentionally connecting it to earth.
 
mtnelect

mtnelect

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ActionDave said:
They would all eventually connect to earth be it a ground rod or some other grounding electrode like a water pipe, concrete encased electrode, ground ring.....
Click to expand...

That should only be at the service ... not at the utility pole transformer.
 
mtnelect

mtnelect

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ActionDave said:
The utility pole transformer is connected to earth also. There's nothing any of us can do to change that.
Click to expand...

That's the problem ... The utilities are screwing the customers, to save money. The grounded conductor should be insulated from the pole/underground to the customer service. Then combined in the main service, that's why there are gradients currents all around the main service. The utilities are using the ground rods at each pole as a "Cheap" return path.
 
mtnelect

mtnelect

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How about a class action lawsuit against the utilities? I have been looking for a law firm, will keep you posted.
 
electrofelon

electrofelon

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Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
mtnelect said:
That's the problem ... The utilities are screwing the customers, to save money. The grounded conductor should be insulated from the pole/underground to the customer service. Then combined in the main service, that's why there are gradients currents all around the main service. The utilities are using the ground rods at each pole as a "Cheap" return path.
Click to expand...
You do realize that we pay for utility infrastructure right? The POCO CEO's are not pocketing all the money saved with the MGN distribution system and having cocaine and caviar parties.

Also IMO your concerns are overblown, and that paper is overblown. It's clear right from the first paragraph it is biased and not impartial.
 
W

winnie

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Biological analogy:
'Hot' circuit conductors are veins.
'Neutral' circuit conductors are arteries.
'Bonding' is the lymph system with 'egc' conductors being the lymph ducts

'Grounding' is standing barefoot in the grass. Grounding reduces the gravitational potential energy of all the circulatory components, and increases safety if you fall down. But all of the components and conductors work just fine if you are up in the air.

Ok, a very poor analogy. I should get a coffee.

Jon
 
S

Strathead

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Ocala, Florida, USA
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winnie said:
'Grounding' is standing barefoot in the grass. Grounding reduces the gravitational potential energy of all the circulatory components, and increases safety if you fall down. But all of the components and conductors work just fine if you are up in the air.

Ok, a very poor analogy. I should get a coffee.

Jon
Click to expand...
Actually, This part is as close as you are going to get to biology. At least it was the same direction I was thinking, except maybe standing on your head in a puddle would be technically closer. As that would bond the ground to the nervous system at the head end.
 
Sea Nile

Sea Nile

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Georgia
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ericsarratt said:
I have more of a biological science background and tend to draw on that when trying to understand things.

Lately, I have been trying to understand grounding and bonding and I had a thought:

Is the bonding system an "extension" of the grounding system (rod) in the same way that the central nervous system is an extension of the brain?
Click to expand...
Here is a serious answer to your question. All conductive things that have a potential to become electrified are bonded together electrically to provide an effective path back to the source.

If something is not likely to be electrified, then there is no reason to bond it.

The only reason this is done is for safety. The only way to make something safe is to turn off the power. The only way to turn off the power is to ensure the breaker trips or the fuse burns out. So by connecting everything together, you ensure enough current flows through the breaker or fuse to open the circuit.

Grounding, on the other hand, doesn't really do much of anything. It serves a purpose when it comes to bleeding off voltage induced voltage from near by lightning activity, but some may argue that it's not really that effective. But improper grounding by connecting the neutral to the ground in more than one spot can destroy every electronic device in the house when lightning strikes nearby
 
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