Do hand held power tools require grounding according to the safety provisions?

Do hand held power tools require grounding according to the safety provisions?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if used outdoors
• D. Only for high-power tools

Answer: (A)

Grounding provides a safe path for fault current, which is the key protection for hand-held power tools. If a tool with a metal housing had an insulation fault, the exposed metal could become energized. With a proper grounding connection, that fault current travels through the grounding conductor to the earth, causing the circuit to trip or a fuse to blow quickly and preventing an electrical shock to the user. Because of this protective effect, safety provisions generally require grounding for hand-held power tools. The exception is tools that are designed as double-insulated, which rely on insulation rather than a grounding path, but in typical practice grounding is the standard expectation. To implement this, use grounded three-prong plugs and outlets, and consider a GFCI in damp or wet locations for added protection.

Grounding provides a safe path for fault current, which is the key protection for hand-held power tools. If a tool with a metal housing had an insulation fault, the exposed metal could become energized. With a proper grounding connection, that fault current travels through the grounding conductor to the earth, causing the circuit to trip or a fuse to blow quickly and preventing an electrical shock to the user. Because of this protective effect, safety provisions generally require grounding for hand-held power tools. The exception is tools that are designed as double-insulated, which rely on insulation rather than a grounding path, but in typical practice grounding is the standard expectation. To implement this, use grounded three-prong plugs and outlets, and consider a GFCI in damp or wet locations for added protection.