Earthing, also known as grounding, is the practice of connecting electrical equipment or systems to the earth to prevent electrical hazards and ensure safety. Earthing items are the components used in earthing systems to make the connection between the electrical equipment and the earth. Here are some common earthing items:
1. Earthing Rod: This is a metallic rod or pipe that is installed into the ground, usually by driving it into the soil. The earthing rod provides a low-resistance path to the earth for electrical current to flow.
2. Earthing Wire: This is a copper wire that is used to connect the electrical equipment to the earthing rod or other earthing system components. The earthing wire should have low resistance to ensure efficient grounding.
3. Earthing Strip: This is a flat copper strip used as an alternative to earthing wire. It provides a larger surface area for grounding, which can be beneficial in some applications.
4. Earthing Clamp: This is a metal clamp that is used to connect the earthing wire or strip to the earthing rod or other earthing components.
5. Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB): This is a safety device that automatically cuts off the power supply to a circuit when it detects a leakage of electrical current to the earth. It provides protection against electric shock and fire hazards.
6. Earth Pit: This is a pit or hole dug into the ground, usually around the earthing rod, where the earth wire is terminated. The earth pit provides a low-resistance path to the earth for electrical current to flow.
7. Lightning Arrester: This is a device that is used to protect buildings and other structures from lightning strikes. It is installed on the roof or the highest point of the structure, and it provides a low-resistance path for lightning current to flow to the earth.