What is the difference between earthing and grounding?

Earthing:

Earthing refers to the connection of electrical systems or equipment to the Earth's conductive surface. The purpose of earthing is to provide a safe path for electrical faults, such as short circuits or electrical leakage, to flow into the ground. Earthing helps protect people and property from electric shock and minimizes the risk of fire or equipment damage.

In an electrical system, earthing typically involves connecting the non-current-carrying parts of electrical equipment, such as metal enclosures or casings, to the Earth using conductive materials, like copper rods or metal plates. This connection creates a low-resistance path for fault currents to flow, enabling the protective devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses, to quickly detect and interrupt the fault, thereby preventing potential hazards.

Grounding:

Grounding, on the other hand, refers to the intentional connection of electrical systems or equipment to the Earth or a reference point in order to establish a common potential. Grounding is primarily used for signal reference, stability, and noise reduction purposes, rather than safety.

In electrical and electronic circuits, grounding provides a stable reference point for voltage measurements and helps minimize interference from external electromagnetic fields. It also serves to dissipate any static charges or voltage spikes that may accumulate in the system, helping to protect sensitive electronic components from damage.

Grounding is commonly achieved by connecting a circuit's reference point, such as the neutral conductor in an AC power system or the common ground in electronic circuits, to the Earth or a grounding electrode system. This helps maintain a consistent voltage potential across the circuit and facilitates the proper functioning of electrical and electronic devices.