A ground wire is a wire that is actually connected to the earth. This wire acts as a backup in case a neutral wire fails to function. Without a ground wire, the risk of an electrical shock becomes a possibility. Ground wires are usually green or yellow in colour in order to differentiate between neutral wires and hot wires.

Every electrical circuit inside a home has two types of wires – hot and neutral. Hot wires carry electrical currents to a device while neutral wires carry electrical currents away from a device.

When a neutral wire is broken, current is no longer carried away from a device, and neutralisation is not possible without the aid of a ground wire. In most cases, a ground wire is connected to a circuit breaker. When a neutral wire is no longer working, the ground wire will trip the corresponding circuit breaker. Whenever a circuit breaker has been tripped, any electrical current is immediately stopped.

Appliances will usually operate normally without the aid of ground wires. In fact, if a grounded wire is broken or missing, most people will not be able to notice any difference. However if a large amount of high voltage has come in contact with the appliance, a person using that appliance may get an electrical shock. Therefore, it is important that all appliances include a properly grounded wire.

Ground wires are essentially a kind of insurance. When a neutral wire does not function, a grounded wire will ensure that a device does not give off a potentially dangerous electrical shock. In addition to ground wires, all premises should included proper circuit breakers. Circuit breakers and ground wires are easily comparable, as both devices are there to prevent hazardous shocks.

Your Whangarei Electrician is qualified to test and repair any earthing concerns you may have.