The ground wire is an essential component of electrical circuits. It’s pretty common to have problems like overheating, and there are many reasons for it. So if you want to know why it has heating problems, read on. This article is all about why a ground wire would be hot, why it happens, and how you can tackle it.
But first, it’s essential to know the difference between neutral (ground) and grounding wire. Typically, any electrical circuit has two wires. One is called ‘hot wire’ through which the electricity flows, and the neutral wire is used for completing the circuit. It takes back the current to the source. A third wire called grounding wire is used for safety and is connected to the ground installation. So whenever there’s a short circuit, it absorbs the extra current and prevents electrical damages.
The grounding wire is also called bare ground wire because it does not have insulation, unlike the other two wires. But despite that, you need not worry because electricity doesn’t flow through it.
A copper ground wire is used for grounding. Typically, it’s the green-colored wire, and you probably have seen it at home.
So why would a ground wire be hot? Here are three main reasons.
- Leakages
The ground wire is used for absorbing any excess amount of electricity. Usually, it doesn’t get heated. So why would a ground wire be hot? If you notice that it’s hot, there is probably a leakage somewhere in the system. The best thing you can do is to hire a professional to have it checked. Leaving it like that can have many consequences, such as erratic power readings and cause damage to other electrical equipment at home.
Generally, when there’s a leakage, the current flows through the ground wire into the installed ground connection. But if there’s a problem with the semiconductors or capacitors in the circuit, the leakages also occur. So if the bare ground wire is hot, the best way to check a leakage is by using a clamp meter device. Here’s a great clamp meter from Amazon
- Lightning strikes
In places that experience frequent storms and lightning strikes, the ground wire can have heating issues. However, the source of heat may not be a lightning strike at home. Instead, if it struck one of the main power lines that connect your house, it can affect your whole electrical system.
- Bad connections
Ground wire heating due to bad connections is one of the most common problems. Whether it’s the electrical system at home or your car, bad connections allow electricity to flow through the ground wire, and it starts to heat up. The cause may be small, but if left ignored, it could cause irreversible damages. The ground wire may be touching the primary wire somewhere, and in some cases, the ground wire even melts as a result.
Unless you have some knowledge about the mechanics of electrical wiring, it’s not advisable to try and solve the problem. If the ground wire is hot, electricity is flowing through it, which is not safe. Especially for cars, a leakage would mean an erratic electricity supply, and it can cause other things to malfunction, like the headlights and meters on the dashboard.
Why Is The Ground Wire Hot On My Electric Fence?
For those of you that have an electric fence installed, ground wire heating can be a problem. Generally, the ground wire completes the circuit of the current flow in the fence. So when an animal touches it, it gets a shock from the hot wire. Then the current flows through the body and into the ground through the ground wire. So the ground wire is crucial for an electric fence. But if you notice that it’s heating up, the most probable cause is leakage or improper grounding installation. In any case, the best option is to hire a trained professional and have it checked.
Having improper installation of ground wire can have many consequences. It affects all the electrical appliances and equipment at home. You might experience things like dim lights, less power supply on appliances like refrigerators, television, microwave, and so on. So watch out for any of these instances because it indicates that there are problems on the ground wire.