Where Does Grounded Electricity Actually Go?

Summary by Krater

This video explains the principles of electrical grounding and how electric current flows through the earth and power grid systems. It concludes that in most cases, electric current flows through the earth rather than into it, and that grounding systems serve specific safety and operational purposes.

From the video

Answers: How does electrical grounding work and where does current flow?

• Electrical grounding systems
• Power grid infrastructure
• Soil resistivity
• Fault current paths
• Touch and step potential

What it concludes

• Electric current in nearly all cases does not flow into the earth, it flows through the earth.
• Ungrounded power systems can continue working during a ground fault because loads are hooked up between phases.
• Ungrounded power systems can lead to higher voltage and increased insulation costs.
• Dry sand is a good electrical insulator, while wet sand with salt dissolved in it conducts electricity.
• Earth is not a great conductor, but what it lacks in conductivity it makes up for in size.
• Power technicians are often encouraged to hop on one foot away from a ground fault to reduce the chance of step potential.