Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:07:36 -0500
Reply-To: Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Grounds (was Quality Inverters)
In-Reply-To: <20070620143259.TXJP27721.fed1rmmtai108.cox.net@fed1rmimpi01.cox.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
> From: Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
> Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:46:55 -0700
>
> A pet peeve of mine regards the word, "Ground". As used in electricity
> and electronics, the word is an unfortunate historical artifact which,
> in my humble opinion, should be removed from use, since it's too often
> misunderstood.
I agree, but I also disagree. :) "Ground" (and related words like
"grounded" and "grounding") do have a specific meaning in the context
of things like the National Electrical Code. Most information on
"retail" wiring in the US (240/120 VAC residential) uses this terminology
consistently. It also helps that for home AC systems, the "ground" wire
really is connected to the soil of the planet at some point.
In a car, "ground" is less justifiable, because it's not ever connected
to the soil of the planet. However, tell the guy at the FLAPS or a
mechanic that you want a "chassis strap" or that the "common" wire is
broken, he'll look at you funny - say "ground strap" or "ground wire" and
he knows just what you mean.
IMHO, way way way too many people already think that the ground wire
(especially in 120 VAC systems) is just a superflous extra thingy put
there to trip GFCIs and to make it hard to plug things together. If I
had $5 for every outdoor extension cord I've found with the ground pin
deliberately broken off, I'd be writing to you via WiFi connection on my
4 GHz laptop, sitting in my Syncro (GoWesty resto) in Hawaii. :) So
using the same terminology that is in common use helps people to
understand what is going on, so there is a chance they will actually
hook up the ground wire.
I am quite familiar with the idea that once you get into industrial
settings, with systems that are spread out over an entire factory,
chemical plant, etc, then "ground" starts becoming a more fuzzy concept,
and "ground" is not always at the same potential, which makes your PLCs
and serial ports and motors do all kinds of crazy things when connected
together. But on the list, the main goals are 1) don't get shocked and
2) make the van go, and for those goals, a simpler understand of
"ground" is plenty.
Matt Roberds
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