The electric potential of the Earth is defined as zero
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Retrieved literature confirms that the electric potential of the Earth is commonly assumed or defined as zero to establish a reference point for measuring electrical potential and voltage.
The electric potential of a point in space in the vicinity of Earth can be easily defined by assuming the potential of Earth to be zero. The potential can be calculated by evaluating the line integral of the electrostatic field from a point on the ground to a point where the electrical potential is needed. The path of the integration is immaterial because the result is independent of the path of integration. This is because electrostatic fields are conservative. The potential of a metal object in the vicinity of the ground can be defined in the same way. In finding this potential it is possible to integrate the electric field from the ground to any point of the metal object along any path. This is because any point on the metal object has the same potential because, by definition, a metal contains free electrons that move along the surface of the metal and redistribute themselves until the potential at any point of the metal object is the same. But how does one define the potential of a cloud? One problem with the concept of cloud potential is that a cloud is just a collection of charges located on a nonconducting medium, which means that there is no specific definition for the potential of a cloud. The potential of a cloud may vary from one point to another. It may be very high close to the charge centers low at points far from them. Thus, when we speak about cloud potential in connection with a stepped leader, we actually mean the potential of the cloud near the region wher
Ground versus earth, there is a difference.
Investigations of injuries and fires caused by electrical circuits and equipment can result in incorrect conclusions when grounding systems are neglected. The term ground is loosely used in electrical jargon as any zero reference point for voltage measurement. Power systems are usually grounded to the earth. Other electrical systems are sometimes grounded to the same earth through a low impedance circuit. Residential grounding systems are described and a simple method is proposed for the investigator's use in evaluating the grounding system for potential shock or equipment damage hazards.
Published in Journal of forensic sciences (1984)
sheet of metal connected to the earth . It is then a zero potential surface, and every point outside is at zero potential as far as concerns the electric charge
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