Maanduspunkt

Maanduspunkt refers to the connection point of an electrical system to the earth. This grounding is a crucial safety measure in electrical installations. It provides a path for electrical current to flow into the ground in case of a fault, such as a short circuit or a lightning strike. This prevents dangerous voltages from accumulating on metal parts of appliances or equipment, which could otherwise cause electric shock to anyone who touches them.

The main purpose of a maanduspunkt is to ensure that all exposed conductive parts are at or near earth potential. This is achieved by connecting these parts to a grounding electrode, which is typically a rod or plate buried in the ground. The effectiveness of the grounding system depends on the resistance of the earth electrode and the soil surrounding it. Lower resistance ensures that fault currents can dissipate quickly and safely.

In residential and commercial buildings, the maanduspunkt is usually part of the main electrical panel. It is connected to a central grounding busbar, from which grounding conductors run to various outlets, switches, and appliances. This interconnected grounding system is essential for the proper functioning of safety devices like circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs), which are designed to detect ground faults and interrupt the power supply. Proper installation and maintenance of the maanduspunkt are vital for electrical safety.