What is a floating earth

1 answer

In electrical systems, the earth is used as a reference point or ground potential. A floating earth is a situation where the electrical system is not connected to the earth or the earth connection is not well defined. It means that the voltage level of the electrical system is not referenced to the earth, and the potential of the system can vary relative to the earth.

This can happen in situations such as electronic devices powered by isolated power supplies or equipment like generators that do not have a solid connection to the earth. This can be a potential safety hazard because, in the absence of a proper earth connection, the build-up of static charges can create a shock hazard to workers or damage sensitive electronic equipment.