No electrical installation is complete, until it's grounded. A good grounding system can protect against shock from ground faults or voltage surges, and prevent damage to appliances. The typical circuit is made of up of three wires: one hot, one neutral, and one ground. With the grounding wire, all the non-current carrying conductors in the electrical system are connected, then tied to earth with ground rods. A non-current carrying conductor is something that's not intended to conduct electricity, but could if a malfunction occurred. The metal frame of a washer is one example. In the event of a ground fault, the grounding wire allows current to flow back to the main panel, instead of remaining in the faulty appliance, where it could shock someone. Installation of a grounding system must meet certain codes. Ground rods should be at least eight feet long, and spaced at least six feet apart. The rods must be connected with a large, bare copper wire, in a continuous run. Two rods are required, but those in lightning-prone areas may use eight. For more information on grounding systems, consult an electrical expert.
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