# ANSI/IEEE earth connection symbol

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/ansi-earth-connection
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: -
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEEE / ANSI, Manufacturer

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEEE / ANSI
Form: 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.
Related representation: [Earth connection](https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/earth-connection)

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.

### Terms

- Terminal: An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Miscellaneous](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-34282BFD-7B8E-48F3-A6ED-93ADBDDDFBD3.htm)
- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/)


## 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.

## Important distinction

The general ground symbol marks any earth connection; the ANSI protective earth form specifically marks a safety ground.

## Facts

- Convention evidence: Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview: Miscellaneous (Earth/Ground)
- Public vendor block name: HGND2 (Autodesk identifier; not an IEEE symbol number)
- Standards context: IEEE/ANSI 315-1975 covers diagram graphics; IEEE lists this edition as Inactive-Reserved.
- Preview: Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Miscellaneous](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-34282BFD-7B8E-48F3-A6ED-93ADBDDDFBD3.htm) — Autodesk. Exact public IEEE-oriented category page listing the Earth/Ground form.
- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/) — IEEE Standards Association. Graphic-symbol standards context and official status; not a source of reproduced artwork.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.