WildOliveShoot
Contributing Member
I’m interested in the possible benefits of this. Is anyone interested in sharing their thoughts?
Misc Grounding or Earthing thoughts
- Thread starter WildOliveShoot
- Start date
I don't know what your wanting to ground.
it is usably done for safety, yes the white wire is connected to ground, but it is also a current carrying conductor, ground wire is not. but if all things are the same potential. so the actual voltage is 0 volts. thus no shock via the neutral wire. also a place for stray electricity to be drained off.
it is usably done for safety, yes the white wire is connected to ground, but it is also a current carrying conductor, ground wire is not. but if all things are the same potential. so the actual voltage is 0 volts. thus no shock via the neutral wire. also a place for stray electricity to be drained off.
JMG91
Veteran Member
I personally believe there may be some benefit to it, as it deals mostly with frequencies, and regulating those frequencies. Your body runs on a specific set of frequencies, and when it's exposed to all of the alternate frequencies around us--especially the "synthetic" ones--it can throw things out of whack. Here's an excellent article from WellnessMama on the subject:
Earthing & Grounding: Legit or Hype? (How to & When Not To)
JULY 24, 2017 (UPDATED: JULY 30, 2019) — BY KATIE WELLSMEDICALLY REVIEWED BY DR. ANN SHIPPY, MD
Reading Time: 7 minThis post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS[SHOW]
Earthing (also called grounding) can be a controversial topic. Many people report amazing benefits, while critics point out the lack of solid scientific studies supporting this practice.
Let’s delve into the evidence:
What is Earthing or Grounding?
In short, earthing or grounding is putting the body in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth. This means that skin needs to touch soil, sand, water, or a conductive surface that is in contact with the earth.
From a scientific perspective, the idea is that the earth has a mild negative charge to it. Over time, especially in modern life, our bodies build up a positive charge. Direct contact with the earth can even out this positive charge and return the body to a neutral state.
Many people don’t have this contact with the earth anymore, and some experts wonder if this is a contributor to the (many) rising health problems we face today. As a population, we wear rubber shoes and live indoors. In theory, many of us could go years without directly touching the earth at all, even if we’re outside.
Over time, the theory is that this positive charge builds and can lead to health problems.
Earthing Science 101
If you’re interested in the deeper science, Dr. Briffa gives a more detailed explanation:
According to emerging research, earthing may be beneficial in:
This is where the controversy begins. Critics claim that there isn’t any evidence to back up this practice and that it could even be dangerous. Proponents cite anecdotal evidence and a few small studies.
So who is right?
There actually are a couple of small scale studies that looked at the affects of earthing or grounding. One study examined 60 people with chronic pain and sleep troubles. Half of the participants slept on a grounded sheet to simulate earthing. The other half slept on a placebo sheet.
The participants who slept grounded reported reduction in chronic pain, respiratory problems, arthritis, apnea and hypertension while the control group did not.
Another much smaller study found (PDF) that earthing reduced blood viscosity, which is a risk factor in heart disease.
There have also been some preliminary studies on the effects of grounding on cortisol levels and inflammation (PDF) and I’m confident that research will continue in this area.
Grounding and Inflammation
What fascinates me most is the testing done in thermographic imaging, which basically shows a heat map of the body. Heat patterns can signal inflammation in the body.
This thermographic image was taken of a woman who complained of stiffness and chronic pain. The first picture was taken before earthing, and the second, after just 30 minutes of earthing.
Unfortunately, all of the studies on earthing are relatively small and poorly run. Hopefully future research will shed some light on the effectiveness (or not) of earthing, but for now, the strongest evidence seems to be anecdotal.
The possibility of grounding or earthing resolving inflammation is exciting, as many chronic diseases cause and stem from inflammation in the body.
My Experience with Earthing
I first encountered the idea of “Grounding” or “Earthing” when I read the book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever.
The idea that we are meant to connect with the earth regularly made sense. At the same time, I was skeptical that something so simple would be effective. I ran the idea by some electrical engineer friends and a friend who has done research in the biomedical field and they confirmed that there could be a beneficial effect to the body.
Have you ever noticed that you sleep better on a beach vacation after walking in the sand or being in the ocean? One theory for that: the sand and ocean water are both naturally conductive materials and both help ground the body and remove excess positive electrons.
To test the theory personally, I decided to make an effort to ground myself outside often and even use an earthing sheet while sleeping.
I was certainly skeptical at first but figured I had nothing to lose by trying to electrically ground myself. I made a point to walk barefoot outside each day and purchased an earthing sheet to use while I was sleeping, as this is the body’s peak repair time.
My Grounding Results
To my surprise, I noticed the first night I used the earthing mat that I fell asleep much easier and had no trouble falling back asleep after waking up to nurse the baby. Of course, one night of results could have easily been placebo.
After sleeping great for about a month, one night I was tossing and turning and couldn’t fall asleep for a couple of hours. The next morning, I realized that the earthing sheet had disconnected!
Blood tests confirmed that my cortisol levels also improved over a period of six months while using an earthing sheet and making an effort to spend time outside barefoot.
From what I’ve read, reactions to earthing/grounding can vary drastically. Some people will notice a difference immediately while others take a few days or weeks. Others won’t feel any changes but measures of cortisol levels will show improvement. In general, it seems that the more inflammation one has, the more of a difference may be noticed from grounding.
I’m not the only one…
Many on the Tour de France, supposedly including Lance Armstrong used an earthing recovery bag to speed recovery and increase sleep quality while on this endurance race. Various Olympic swimmers, runners, and triathletes have reported using Earthing and various professional athletes have used Earthing methods as well.
Well known doctor and natural health proponent Dr. Mercola has reportedly been using an earthing mat for years and even Dr. Oz has gotten on board recently!
How to Try Grounding/Earthing
Obviously, walking outside barefoot is the easiest and cheapest way to ground yourself or practice earthing. If you are close to an ocean or swimmable natural body of water, this is another great way.
To work, the skin must be in direct contact with rock, dirt or water. The beach/ocean is possibly the best place as not only are sand and salt water extremely conductive, but salt water is also very high in magnesium. Perhaps this is why many people seem to sleep better on vacation at the beach!
Earthing Indoors
Those who can’t or don’t want to spend time outdoors can accomplish some of the same results indoors. There are various products to make indoor grounding easy:
The Basic Concept of Earthing Is This:
The grounding mat (or sheet) is an amazing invention that allows you to do earthing while you’re inside a building. It just plugs in to the grounding wire port of a normal 3-prong outlet or a grounding rod (US and Canada only). The earth’s natural electrons flow right up through the ground wire and onto the mat, even if you’re in a high rise. The mat comes with an outlet tester you plug in to see if the outlet is configured correctly.
When NOT To try Earthing/Grounding
I recently talked to EMF expert Dr. Libby Darnell of. Revived Living about EMFs and grounding. You can listen to her interview on the podcast here, but she explained one serious caution about earthing that many people don’t consider: ground current.
Basically she explained that if there is a strong ground current it is actually possible that attempting to ground or earth oneself could be problematic and create more problems. In theory, this is most problematic in really large cities and over wires run in the ground. Her podcast episode will talk about how to test for this in your area.
Earthing: Bottom Line
Like I said, this is a controversial topic with a lot of additional research still needed. That said, in most cases (when there isn’t a strong ground current), it is free to go outside and spend some time barefoot. Spending time barefoot has many benefits, so there isn’t really a downside.
It is also relatively simple to try earthing and track results to see if it helps:
Earthing & Grounding: Legit or Hype? (How to & When Not To)
JULY 24, 2017 (UPDATED: JULY 30, 2019) — BY KATIE WELLSMEDICALLY REVIEWED BY DR. ANN SHIPPY, MD
Reading Time: 7 minThis post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS[SHOW]
Earthing (also called grounding) can be a controversial topic. Many people report amazing benefits, while critics point out the lack of solid scientific studies supporting this practice.
Let’s delve into the evidence:
What is Earthing or Grounding?
In short, earthing or grounding is putting the body in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth. This means that skin needs to touch soil, sand, water, or a conductive surface that is in contact with the earth.
From a scientific perspective, the idea is that the earth has a mild negative charge to it. Over time, especially in modern life, our bodies build up a positive charge. Direct contact with the earth can even out this positive charge and return the body to a neutral state.
Many people don’t have this contact with the earth anymore, and some experts wonder if this is a contributor to the (many) rising health problems we face today. As a population, we wear rubber shoes and live indoors. In theory, many of us could go years without directly touching the earth at all, even if we’re outside.
Over time, the theory is that this positive charge builds and can lead to health problems.
Earthing Science 101
If you’re interested in the deeper science, Dr. Briffa gives a more detailed explanation:
Benefits of Earthing & Grounding
According to emerging research, earthing may be beneficial in:
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing chronic pain
- Improving Sleep (I can vouch strongly for this!)
- Increasing Energy (I noticed this also)
- Lowering stress and promoting calmness by reducing stress hormones.
- Normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm
- Normalizing blood pressure and blood flow
- Relieving muscle tension and headache (I noticed this)
- Improving menstrual and female hormone symptoms
- Speeds healing- used in some places to prevent bed sores
- Reducing jet lag
- Protecting the body from effects of EMFs
- Shortening recovery time from injury or athletic activity
- Reducing snoring
- Helping support adrenal health
This is where the controversy begins. Critics claim that there isn’t any evidence to back up this practice and that it could even be dangerous. Proponents cite anecdotal evidence and a few small studies.
So who is right?
There actually are a couple of small scale studies that looked at the affects of earthing or grounding. One study examined 60 people with chronic pain and sleep troubles. Half of the participants slept on a grounded sheet to simulate earthing. The other half slept on a placebo sheet.
The participants who slept grounded reported reduction in chronic pain, respiratory problems, arthritis, apnea and hypertension while the control group did not.
Another much smaller study found (PDF) that earthing reduced blood viscosity, which is a risk factor in heart disease.
There have also been some preliminary studies on the effects of grounding on cortisol levels and inflammation (PDF) and I’m confident that research will continue in this area.
Grounding and Inflammation
What fascinates me most is the testing done in thermographic imaging, which basically shows a heat map of the body. Heat patterns can signal inflammation in the body.
This thermographic image was taken of a woman who complained of stiffness and chronic pain. The first picture was taken before earthing, and the second, after just 30 minutes of earthing.
Unfortunately, all of the studies on earthing are relatively small and poorly run. Hopefully future research will shed some light on the effectiveness (or not) of earthing, but for now, the strongest evidence seems to be anecdotal.
The possibility of grounding or earthing resolving inflammation is exciting, as many chronic diseases cause and stem from inflammation in the body.
My Experience with Earthing
I first encountered the idea of “Grounding” or “Earthing” when I read the book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever.
The idea that we are meant to connect with the earth regularly made sense. At the same time, I was skeptical that something so simple would be effective. I ran the idea by some electrical engineer friends and a friend who has done research in the biomedical field and they confirmed that there could be a beneficial effect to the body.
Have you ever noticed that you sleep better on a beach vacation after walking in the sand or being in the ocean? One theory for that: the sand and ocean water are both naturally conductive materials and both help ground the body and remove excess positive electrons.
To test the theory personally, I decided to make an effort to ground myself outside often and even use an earthing sheet while sleeping.
I was certainly skeptical at first but figured I had nothing to lose by trying to electrically ground myself. I made a point to walk barefoot outside each day and purchased an earthing sheet to use while I was sleeping, as this is the body’s peak repair time.
My Grounding Results
To my surprise, I noticed the first night I used the earthing mat that I fell asleep much easier and had no trouble falling back asleep after waking up to nurse the baby. Of course, one night of results could have easily been placebo.
After sleeping great for about a month, one night I was tossing and turning and couldn’t fall asleep for a couple of hours. The next morning, I realized that the earthing sheet had disconnected!
Blood tests confirmed that my cortisol levels also improved over a period of six months while using an earthing sheet and making an effort to spend time outside barefoot.
From what I’ve read, reactions to earthing/grounding can vary drastically. Some people will notice a difference immediately while others take a few days or weeks. Others won’t feel any changes but measures of cortisol levels will show improvement. In general, it seems that the more inflammation one has, the more of a difference may be noticed from grounding.
I’m not the only one…
Many on the Tour de France, supposedly including Lance Armstrong used an earthing recovery bag to speed recovery and increase sleep quality while on this endurance race. Various Olympic swimmers, runners, and triathletes have reported using Earthing and various professional athletes have used Earthing methods as well.
Well known doctor and natural health proponent Dr. Mercola has reportedly been using an earthing mat for years and even Dr. Oz has gotten on board recently!
How to Try Grounding/Earthing
Obviously, walking outside barefoot is the easiest and cheapest way to ground yourself or practice earthing. If you are close to an ocean or swimmable natural body of water, this is another great way.
To work, the skin must be in direct contact with rock, dirt or water. The beach/ocean is possibly the best place as not only are sand and salt water extremely conductive, but salt water is also very high in magnesium. Perhaps this is why many people seem to sleep better on vacation at the beach!
Earthing Indoors
Those who can’t or don’t want to spend time outdoors can accomplish some of the same results indoors. There are various products to make indoor grounding easy:
- An earthing mat can be used under your arms or feet while on a computer to reduce the amount of EMFs you are exposed to. It is also easy to bring when traveling.
- A half size earthing sheet can be used on any bed size.
The Basic Concept of Earthing Is This:
The grounding mat (or sheet) is an amazing invention that allows you to do earthing while you’re inside a building. It just plugs in to the grounding wire port of a normal 3-prong outlet or a grounding rod (US and Canada only). The earth’s natural electrons flow right up through the ground wire and onto the mat, even if you’re in a high rise. The mat comes with an outlet tester you plug in to see if the outlet is configured correctly.
When NOT To try Earthing/Grounding
I recently talked to EMF expert Dr. Libby Darnell of. Revived Living about EMFs and grounding. You can listen to her interview on the podcast here, but she explained one serious caution about earthing that many people don’t consider: ground current.
Basically she explained that if there is a strong ground current it is actually possible that attempting to ground or earth oneself could be problematic and create more problems. In theory, this is most problematic in really large cities and over wires run in the ground. Her podcast episode will talk about how to test for this in your area.
Earthing: Bottom Line
Like I said, this is a controversial topic with a lot of additional research still needed. That said, in most cases (when there isn’t a strong ground current), it is free to go outside and spend some time barefoot. Spending time barefoot has many benefits, so there isn’t really a downside.
It is also relatively simple to try earthing and track results to see if it helps:
- Spend a lot of time in contact with the earth or using something like an grounding sheet
- Use a sleep app to track sleep patterns and see if sleep improves with earthing
- Also keep track of things like joint pain, headaches, etc and see if those improve over time with earthing
China Connection
TB Fanatic
You need enough mineral salts in the damp soil for the flow of electrons to work.
Does it work. Only fools wold say it doesn't.
Does it work. Only fools wold say it doesn't.
China Connection
TB Fanatic
How to Create a Good Earth
June 6, 2017Newsbonding, Earthing, grounding
The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or minimize the danger of:
To avoid such instances, the power supply systems and parts of appliances have to be earthed so as to transfer the charge directly to ground.
Why have Earthing?
Earthing is done according to AS, IE and IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers) regulations:
A complete electrical earthing system consists on the following basic components.
That part of the earthing system which interconnects the overall metallic parts of electrical installation e.g. conduit, ducts, distribution boards, fuses etc… and components installed are known as earth wire or earth continuity conductor as shown in the above fig.
Size of Earth Continuity Conductor
The cross-sectional area of the earth continuity conductor should not be less than the half of the cross-sectional area of the thickest wire used in the electrical wiring installation.
Earthing Electrode or Earth Plate
A metallic electrode or plate which is buried in the earth and connected with earthing lead.
A metallic plate, pipe or rode can be used as an earth electrode which has very low resistance and carry the fault current safely towards ground (earth).
Earthing Ground Enhancement Material
It is recommended to bury the earth electrode in the moisture earth. If it is not possible, then it is recommended to use a ground enhancement material such as gypsum bentonite or even better GEM
Methods of Earthing | Types of Earthing
Earthing can be done in many ways. The various methods employed in earthing are:
Specification for Earthing
Various earthing recommendations are given below;
If excessive current is not earthed, appliances will be damaged without the help of a fuse. Excessive current is earthed at their generating stations which is why earth wires carry very little or no current at all.
In our electrical appliances, if excessive currents are not earthed, we would experience severe shock. Earthing takes place in electrical appliances only when there is a problem to save us from danger.
If you happen to touch a metallic part when charged or static charges you will be electrocuted. But if the metallic part of the appliance is earthed, the charge will be transferred to earth instead of accumulating on the metallic part of the appliance.
Earthing is essential and mandatory. It’s an electrical connection between the exposed metallic parts of an electrical appliance or installation and the earth, regarded to have zero potential. Competent earthing provides an alternative and easy path for leakage or faulty current to flow that could save your life, equipment and asset.
For more information on Earthing, Grounding and Bonding solutions click HERE or please call us on (08) 9451 2199 or email wapp1@wapp.com.au
June 6, 2017Newsbonding, Earthing, grounding
The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or minimize the danger of:
- Electrocution
- Fire due to earth leakage of current
- Damage to people, equipment and assets
To avoid such instances, the power supply systems and parts of appliances have to be earthed so as to transfer the charge directly to ground.
Why have Earthing?
- Protect human lives
- Provide safety to electrical devices and appliances
- To keep voltage as constant in the healthy phase
- To protect electrical system and buildings from lightning.
- To avoid the risk of fire
- Earth: The proper connection between electrical installation systems via conductor to the earth.
- Earthed: Connection to the earth through earth electrode.
- Solidly Earthed: When an electric device, appliance or electrical installation is connected to the earth electrode without a fuse, circuit breaker or resistance/Impedance.
- Earth Electrode: When a conductor buried in the earth for electrical earthing system. They are available in different shapes E.g. conductive plate, rod or mesh.
- Earthing Lead: The conductor wire, strip or tape connected between Earth electrode and Electrical installation system and devices.
- Earth Continuity Conductor: The conductor wire, which is connected among different electrical devices and appliances like, distribution board, different plugs and appliances.
- Sub Main Earthing Conductor: A wire connected the switch board and distribution board
- Earth Resistance: Is the total resistance between earth electrode and earth in Ω (Ohms).
Earthing is done according to AS, IE and IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers) regulations:
- 3-pin lighting plug sockets should be permanently earthed.
- All metallic coverings containing or protecting any electric supply line or apparatus should be earthed.
- The frame of generators, stationary motors and metallic parts of all transformers used for controlling energy should be earthed by two separate connections with the earth.
- In a dc 3-wire system, the middle conductors should be earthed at the generating station.
- Overhead lines should be earthed by connecting at least one strand to the earth wires.
A complete electrical earthing system consists on the following basic components.
- Earth Continuity Conductor
- Earthing Lead
- Earth Electrode
That part of the earthing system which interconnects the overall metallic parts of electrical installation e.g. conduit, ducts, distribution boards, fuses etc… and components installed are known as earth wire or earth continuity conductor as shown in the above fig.
Size of Earth Continuity Conductor
The cross-sectional area of the earth continuity conductor should not be less than the half of the cross-sectional area of the thickest wire used in the electrical wiring installation.
Earthing Electrode or Earth Plate
A metallic electrode or plate which is buried in the earth and connected with earthing lead.
A metallic plate, pipe or rode can be used as an earth electrode which has very low resistance and carry the fault current safely towards ground (earth).
Earthing Ground Enhancement Material
It is recommended to bury the earth electrode in the moisture earth. If it is not possible, then it is recommended to use a ground enhancement material such as gypsum bentonite or even better GEM
Methods of Earthing | Types of Earthing
Earthing can be done in many ways. The various methods employed in earthing are:
- Plate Earthing: In plate earthing system, a plate made up of copper (preferable) or galvanized iron (GI) is buried vertical in the earth (earth pit) which should not be less than 3m (10ft) from the ground level.
- Rod Earthing: It is the same method as pipe earthing. A copper
rod of min. 16mm diameter by 3m length are buried upright in the earth manually or with the help of a pneumatic hammer. The length of embedded electrodes in the soil reduces earth resistance to a desired value.
- Tape or Wire Earthing: Typically tape electrodes of 25mm x 3mm cross-section is buried in a horizontal trench of a minimum depth of 0.5m.
Specification for Earthing
Various earthing recommendations are given below;
- An earthing electrode should not be situated (installed) close to the building whose installation system is being earthed at least more than 1.5m away.
- The earth resistance should be low enough to cause the flow of current sufficient to operate the protective relays or blow fuses. Its value is not constant as it varies with weather because it depends on moisture (but should not be less than 1 Ohm).
- The earth wire and earth electrode will be the same material.
- The earthing electrode should be placed in a vertical position inside the earth or pit so that it may be in contact with all the different earth layers.
If excessive current is not earthed, appliances will be damaged without the help of a fuse. Excessive current is earthed at their generating stations which is why earth wires carry very little or no current at all.
In our electrical appliances, if excessive currents are not earthed, we would experience severe shock. Earthing takes place in electrical appliances only when there is a problem to save us from danger.
If you happen to touch a metallic part when charged or static charges you will be electrocuted. But if the metallic part of the appliance is earthed, the charge will be transferred to earth instead of accumulating on the metallic part of the appliance.
Earthing is essential and mandatory. It’s an electrical connection between the exposed metallic parts of an electrical appliance or installation and the earth, regarded to have zero potential. Competent earthing provides an alternative and easy path for leakage or faulty current to flow that could save your life, equipment and asset.
For more information on Earthing, Grounding and Bonding solutions click HERE or please call us on (08) 9451 2199 or email wapp1@wapp.com.au
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