EARTH
Earth connection
An earth connection identifies a documented circuit connection to earth.
SLD / Schematic
IEEE / ANSI · -
ANSI/IEEE earth connection symbol
IEEE-oriented ground symbol with three diminishing bars, used for a general connection to earth.
In plain English
What does ANSI/IEEE earth connection mean?
US-practice drawings show a connection to earth ground with a vertical lead ending in three horizontal bars of decreasing length. The publisher's IEEE miscellaneous preview lists an Earth/Ground form alongside functional and protective forms, which the existing ANSI pages for those concepts already cover.
A simple example
This is an independently drawn explanation rather than the IEEE graphic. The general ground symbol does not say whether the connection is for safety or function; where the distinction matters, use the protective or functional form. Grounding electrode details belong on the grounding plan.
What the drawings help you do
Check whether a protective or functional form should be used instead. Find the grounding electrode system on the grounding plan. The general ground symbol marks any earth connection; the ANSI protective earth form specifically marks a safety ground.
This particular reference
IEEE-oriented ground symbol with three diminishing bars, used for a general connection to earth. The general ground symbol marks any earth connection; the ANSI protective earth form specifically marks a safety ground.
- Terminal
- An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Miscellaneous · IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams
IEEE / ANSI · Autodesk IEEE-oriented Earth/Ground form
Autodesk publishes this block under IEEE Symbol Preview: Miscellaneous. The counterpart is the matching functional concept; no equivalence of every detailed standard graphic is asserted.
Shown as an independently authored educational illustration. Use the cited publication and drawing legend to verify the required drafting form.
SLD / Schematic · -
What it represents
US-practice drawings show a connection to earth ground with a vertical lead ending in three horizontal bars of decreasing length. The publisher's IEEE miscellaneous preview lists an Earth/Ground form alongside functional and protective forms, which the existing ANSI pages for those concepts already cover.
This is an independently drawn explanation rather than the IEEE graphic. The general ground symbol does not say whether the connection is for safety or function; where the distinction matters, use the protective or functional form. Grounding electrode details belong on the grounding plan.
How to read it
- Check whether a protective or functional form should be used instead.
- Find the grounding electrode system on the grounding plan.
Information to show or reference
- Use the general symbol only where the purpose is clear.
- Reference the grounding plan.
- Keep symbol usage consistent across the set.
A distinction that matters
The general ground symbol marks any earth connection; the ANSI protective earth form specifically marks a safety ground.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Miscellaneous
Exact public IEEE-oriented category page listing the Earth/Ground form.
IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams
Graphic-symbol standards context and official status; not a source of reproduced artwork.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
Explore related references
PE
ANSI/IEEE protective earth symbol
IEEE-oriented graphical reference for protective earth, with public vendor evidence and drawing-reading notes.
IEEE / ANSI
FE
ANSI/IEEE functional earth symbol
IEEE-oriented graphical reference for functional earth, with public vendor evidence and drawing-reading notes.
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