An unintended electrical connection between an energized conductor and the exposed conductive parts of an appliance or machine enclosure. If the equipment is not properly earthed, this fault makes the entire metal chassis live, creating a severe shock hazard for anyone touching it.
Heard on the job
The motor tripped on earth fault because vibration rubbed the stator insulation away, causing a direct body contact.
Related terms
Earth fault
Fault in which a live conductor makes unintended contact with earth or with earthed metalwork.
Touch voltage
Voltage a person bridges between a hand on faulted metalwork and their feet or other hand during a fault.
Earthing
The practice of connecting electrical equipment and systems to the general mass of the earth.