potensialutjevningsleder

Potensialutjevning is a Norwegian term that translates to "potential equalization" or "equipotential bonding" in English. It refers to a crucial electrical safety measure designed to prevent dangerous voltage differences between conductive parts of an electrical installation and other conductive objects. The primary goal is to ensure that all exposed conductive parts are at the same electrical potential, thereby eliminating the risk of electric shock if a fault occurs.

In practice, potensialutjevning involves connecting various conductive elements together using equipotential bonding conductors. These typically include the main incoming metallic water pipes, gas pipes, central heating pipes, structural metal elements of a building, and the protective earth terminals of electrical equipment. The main protective bonding conductor connects these systems to the main earthing terminal of the installation. Supplementary equipotential bonding may also be installed in specific areas, such as bathrooms, to connect metallic fixtures and appliances directly to the protective earth.

The effectiveness of potensialutjevning relies on establishing a low-resistance path to earth. This ensures that in the event of a fault, such as a live conductor touching a metallic casing, the resulting fault current will flow safely to earth, tripping protective devices like circuit breakers or fuses. Without proper potensialutjevning, a person touching a faulty appliance and a simultaneously earthed object could become the path for the current, leading to a potentially fatal electric shock. This safety measure is a fundamental requirement in electrical regulations worldwide to protect against the hazards of electrical faults.