{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"iec-earth-electrode","name":"Earth electrode","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"E","aliases":["earth rod","ground rod","earthing electrode"],"category":"connections-wiring","drawingTypes":["SLD","GA"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC"],"summary":"A conductor in contact with the ground, such as a driven rod, providing the installation's connection to earth.","description":["The earth electrode symbol marks a rod, plate, tape or foundation electrode that makes contact with the general mass of the earth. It appears on earthing diagrams and site layouts, often numbered so that individual electrodes can be tested and recorded.","The symbol does not tell you the electrode resistance, length, material or depth. Those come from the earthing design and test records. Multiple electrodes drawn together are only effective if spaced appropriately; electrodes too close together share the same soil and add less than expected."],"readingNotes":["Read electrode numbering for test records.","Check spacing between multiple electrodes."],"drawingChecklist":["Number each electrode.","State type, length and material.","Show the test link location."],"distinction":"An earth electrode is the physical contact with soil; an earth connection symbol is any connection to the earthing system.","facts":[{"label":"Graphic cue","value":"Earth symbol on a vertical rod line"},{"label":"Does not show","value":"Resistance, length or material"},{"label":"Preview","value":"Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"s28-eig-earthing-connections","relevance":"Public installation-guide definition of earth electrode."},{"sourceId":"pub-symbol-earthing-surge","relevance":"Public IEC-oriented earth forms."}],"related":["iec-removable-earth-test-link","earth-grid-conductor","earth-connection"],"artwork":"s28-iec-earth-electrode","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEC","form":"Earth electrode","reference":"Independent IEC-context illustration; not certified IEC geometry."},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Earth electrode mean?","introduction":"The earth electrode symbol marks a rod, plate, tape or foundation electrode that makes contact with the general mass of the earth. It appears on earthing diagrams and site layouts, often numbered so that individual electrodes can be tested and recorded.","example":"The symbol does not tell you the electrode resistance, length, material or depth. Those come from the earthing design and test records. Multiple electrodes drawn together are only effective if spaced appropriately; electrodes too close together share the same soil and add less than expected.","drawings":"Read electrode numbering for test records. Check spacing between multiple electrodes. An earth electrode is the physical contact with soil; an earth connection symbol is any connection to the earthing system.","terms":[{"name":"Normally open / normally closed","meaning":"The contact state in the normal condition defined for the drawing."},{"name":"Schematic","meaning":"A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"Earthing connections","url":"https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Earthing_connections"},{"label":"AutoCAD Electrical: Earthing, sources and surge protection","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-1E3FDEAE-B4B2-417C-8075-108AA2C6E509.htm"}],"detail":"A conductor in contact with the ground, such as a driven rod, providing the installation's connection to earth. An earth electrode is the physical contact with soil; an earth connection symbol is any connection to the earthing system.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-earth-electrode","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/iec-earth-electrode.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"s28-eig-earthing-connections","title":"Earthing connections","publisher":"Schneider Electric, Electrical Installation Guide","url":"https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Earthing_connections","type":"manufacturer","scope":"Definitions of earth electrode, main earthing terminal, removable test link and bonding conductors in an installation earthing arrangement.","checkedOn":"2026-10-28","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public installation-guide definition of earth electrode."},{"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 IEC-oriented earth forms."}]}