Beröringsspänningen

Beröringsspänningen, or touch voltage, is the electrical potential difference that appears between two points on the surface of the Earth or between a metallic object and the Earth when a current flows through the Earth. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in electrical safety, especially in situations involving grounding systems and faults.

When an electrical fault occurs, such as a short circuit to a metallic enclosure or the ground, current can flow into the soil. This current flow creates a voltage drop in the Earth's resistive medium. If a person is standing on the ground and simultaneously touches an energized object or a grounded metallic structure that has become energized due to the fault, they will experience this voltage difference. The magnitude of the beröringsspänning depends on factors like the fault current magnitude, the resistivity of the soil, and the distance between the person's feet and the point of contact with the energized object.

High beröringsspänningar can cause dangerous currents to flow through the human body, leading to electric shock, burns, or even cardiac arrest. Electrical grounding systems are designed to minimize the risk of excessive beröringsspänning by providing a low-resistance path for fault currents to dissipate safely. Protective measures, such as proper grounding, insulation, and the use of residual current devices (RCDs), are crucial for preventing harm from beröringsspänning. Understanding and mitigating beröringsspänning is a fundamental aspect of electrical system design and safety.