Question

Why is earthing important?
A) To protect us from electric shocks.
B) Transfers charge from a charged body to the Earth
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Answer 1

All the electrical appliances are connected to earth or to the ground with the help of wire called earth wire. It is very important to earth the electrical systems and appliances. Earthing is helpful in preventing the damage.

Step-by-Step Explanation
Step I:
When all the electrical appliances are connected to earth then in case there is any fault in the appliance then the current will flow to the ground. This is because the current will find a low resistance path and flows to the ground with the help of earth wire.
Step II:
Without earth wire, the live wire will become loose. Since a high voltage current passes through the live wire to run the appliance. Therefore, the person who will next touch the electric appliance will not get any electric shock.
Step III:
Earthing of the electrical systems is done by placing a metal electrode near the ground or in the soil near the house. Earthing of appliances also protects them from burning out. It causes the protective device to switch off the electric current to the circuit in which there is some fault in the appliance.

Option C is the right answer.

Note: While earthing the appliances, the conductor taken should be of the size so that it can carry maximum fault current of the system to the earth. In order to make earthing strong, the length of the wire can be increased. Also copper wires are recommended for better earthing in the houses as it is cheap.