{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"functional-earth","name":"Functional earth","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"FE","aliases":["HGND3","VGND3"],"category":"connections-wiring","drawingTypes":["SLD","Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC","Manufacturer"],"summary":"Functional earth serves an operational purpose such as a documented EMC or signal-reference connection.","description":["Functional earth serves an operational purpose such as a documented EMC or signal-reference connection. It must be distinguished from the protective-earthing path required for exposed conductive parts."],"readingNotes":["Trace any intended separation or connection between functional and protective earth.","The preview is an original explanation of this function. Match the actual drawing convention to its legend and the selected equipment documentation."],"drawingChecklist":["Label functional-earth conductor","State bonding relationship","Reference equipment instructions"],"distinction":"A functional-earth connection does not automatically fulfil protective-earthing requirements.","facts":[{"label":"Drawing role","value":"Earth or bonding role"},{"label":"Representation scope","value":"Functional concept; not an official standard graphic or a product footprint"},{"label":"Public vendor block reference","value":"HGND3, VGND3 (Autodesk identifiers; not IEC symbol numbers)"},{"label":"Identifier status","value":"The short label is a functional lookup label, not an assigned IEC or IEEE symbol number. Any separately listed Autodesk code is a verified vendor block name."}],"references":[{"sourceId":"pub-symbol-earthing-surge","relevance":"Public documentation of this equipment function or named vendor variant; the illustration is independently authored and is not the source graphic."}],"related":["protective-earth","earthing-switch"],"artwork":"edu-functional-earth","publishedOn":"2026-10-13","updatedOn":"2026-10-13","provenance":"independent-public-research","url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/functional-earth","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/library/illustrations/functional-earth.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"pub-symbol-earthing-surge","title":"AutoCAD Electrical: Earthing, sources and surge protection","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-1E3FDEAE-B4B2-417C-8075-108AA2C6E509.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public vendor catalogue naming and functional variants. Vendor block names are not IEC identifiers. Linked for reference; no graphics or CAD files are redistributed.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public documentation of this equipment function or named vendor variant; the illustration is independently authored and is not the source graphic."}]}