Floating ground

A floating ground is a reference point for <a href="/facts/Electrical_potential/Nmqm6hm5">electrical potential</a> in a circuit which is <a href="/facts/Galvanic_isolation/IMQkwezo">galvanically isolated</a> from actual <a href="/facts/Earth_ground/F6TEMIVv">earth ground</a>.
Most electrical circuits have a <a href="/facts/Ground_(electricity)/F6TEMIVv">ground</a> which is electrically connected to the <a href="/facts/Earth/HLLmDfj0">Earth</a>, hence the name "ground". The ground is said to be floating when this connection does not exist.
Conductors are also described as having a floating voltage if they are not connected electrically to another non-floating (grounded) conductor. Without such a connection, voltages and current flows are induced by <a href="/facts/Electromagnetic_field/MacraS8y">electromagnetic fields</a> or charge accumulation within the conductor rather than being due to the usual external <a href="/facts/Potential_difference/EN2po6N2">potential difference</a> of a power source.

Floating ground open-in-new

Floating ground