Probably not everyone knows that modern washing machines are manufactured with one effective element, which is called a power filter. This device is installed at the input of the supply electrical circuit. It consists of two capacitors, one of which connects the body of the machine with the phase, the second body with zero.
That is, capacitors have one common connection point - the body of the washing machine. Manufacturers of this necessary home appliances believe that it will be connected to a network in which the ground loop "PE" is installed. True, in the vastness of Russia a large number of buildings where such a ground loop is simply not there. Hence the often asked question, how to ground the washing machine if there is no ground?
Before answering this question, it is necessary to understand that the potential of the network filter is decent - 110 volts, although its power is not very large, because the current flows along the ground loop installed in the socket (three-wire device). If two-wire sockets (zero and phase) are installed in the house or apartment, the voltage of 110 volts is noticeable. The blow will be short-lived, but very unpleasant.
Many people might think that this problem can be solved simply by removing the point of contact between the capacitors and the body of the washing machine. This, of course, will reduce the risks. But do not rely on it, the risk still remains. After all, electrical wiring in the apparatus is subject to aging.
A little time will pass, and the probability that one of the bare wires will come into contact with the metal casing of the styralka is very high. For sure, at first the voltage on the case will be insignificant. But in the end, 220 volts will hit with all the force. Moreover, the washing machine is usually installed in the bathroom, which in fact is a high-risk room.
Attention! Experts recommend that all metal appliances, systems and elements in the bathroom are connected together. This is how you can get rid of unpleasant moments, if you simultaneously touch two current-conducting elements.
True, one of this system (like security) is not enough, because there is another seemingly insignificant chain: a washing machine - a person - a bathroom floor (or another wet room). Therefore, it is still necessary to ground the washing machine. We add that such a connection is called a potential equalization system.
Methods of grounding
Until recently, the grounding of electrical devices was carried out in a way when they made their connection to the metal pipes of the heating system (grounding was always forbidden). The washing machine was no exception. Today, this method has gone into oblivion, because in almost all buildings metal heating pipes are replaced by plastic ones.
There are two other options:
- Install the RCD in the supply circuit.
- Carry out a separate ground loop (ground) to the outlet from which the washing machine will be powered.
The operation principle of the RCD is completely different from the ground. The thing is that this device will work only at the moment if a hand or other part of a person touches the body of household appliances. The presence of tension itself a person, of course, feel, but it will be a small blow. As they say, bezrybe and cancer are fish. That is, something is better than nothing at all.
So, the current rating when contacting the styralka will be minimal, therefore, the RCD must be selected in its value. For example, a 30 mA device will be the ideal choice. It itself is small in size, so it fits in the socket.
As for the second method, first of all it is necessary to make sure that the distribution board located in the entrance of the apartment building is itself grounded. This can be found in the management company. If your assumptions on the shield are justified, then a ground loop must be connected to the outlet where the washing machine will be connected. Accordingly, you need to install a socket with ground. True, for this you have to build your own hands a number of construction works:
- drawing of the circuit of the "PE" loop;
- shtroblenie walls;
- wire installation;
- sealing strob;
- connection of one end of the wire to the outlet, the other to the body of the switchboard;
- most likely, repair of walls, on which the wiring is done, will be required.
By the way, some home-grown electricians ground the ground (ground) plant to zero. This is forbidden by the rules.
Summarize
So, how to ground the washing machine if there is no ground loop. It is suggested to use a combined approach, if the wiring of a separate ground wire is considered difficult and expensive by you.
- Install the RCD in the socket.
- Create a system for equalizing potentials.
Note that this combination will work well if you are sure that the installed washing machine is in working order. Although it is necessary to pay tribute to the RCD, which simply does not allow the faulty device to operate (the presence of bare wire contact with the housing).
By the way, there is one way to check if the phase wire of the feeder is broken or not. You just need to insert the plug by turning it to 180º. If the phase that hit the "zero" is broken, then the machine will operate from the mains. In the case of zero, nothing threatening will happen in either case.
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If you decide to completely change all the wiring at home, then the question of where to take the ground in the apartment, you will necessarily arise. The reconstruction of the wiring involves the replacement of old two-wire wires with new three-core wires, with a separate residential under ground.
This core needs to be connected somewhere in the general electrical panel of the entrance. The main thing you should remember is that you can not connect this guide safely. First of all, find out what the grounding system is for your electrical board.
Grounding systems in apartment buildings
The old buildings have a grounding system - TN-C. Floor electric boards in them are not grounded, but are reset. In the shield comes 3 phases and a zero wire, which is put on the body of the flap. There are four conductors.
In modern homes, the system is used - TN-C-S. Here already in the shield comes not four, but five power wires. Three phase, zero and separate protective conductor. The protective conductor is connected to the body of the shield. Zero has a separate shank, not connected to the body.
There is an even more modern TN-S system. Here, five conductors, separately from each other, are laid directly from the transformer substation to the residential building.
In your home system TN-C-S
As described above, it is easy to determine - count the number of power wires in the shield, they should be 5. Only be sure that the zero bunk is disconnected from the case! 
Grounding in the apartment in this case is done as follows:
If your house has a modern TN-S system, the connection mechanism is the same. 
In your home system TN-C
In this system, four wires enter the shield. Three phases and zero. The zero conductor combines the working zero and the protective conductor. There is no separate earthing circuit in the panel house.
And if on your power cable the third wire (protective) is connected together with zero to the case, this in the future can lead to sad consequences.
If the common supply zero is broken or burned off, a voltage of 220V will appear on all your grounded devices. You can not do this as you can not. Zero can burn out in the riser, in the basement of the house or even in a transformer booth.
And you will suffer and your equipment. Therefore, this connection is not recommended.
It is better to not connect the third protective conductor in this case at all. Wait until the reconstruction of the electrical networks in the house is carried out and only then proceed to a similar protection scheme.
How can you protect yourself if you have a TN-C system? The simplest and cheapest way is to use an RCD or a differential automat. Do not try to turn on the "wizard" and follow the easy path. Some people look for a reinforcement in the wall and try to ground it. In the end, you will start the broken phase not into the ground, but into the sink or cast-iron bath of the neighbor!
If you live on the first floor of a high-rise building, you can fence off everyone, and under your windows or in the basement, make your own ground loop. After that, the grounding in the apartment joins it. And if you live above the ground floor? Here too there is an option:
- ⚡ in the basement, by all rules, mount an independent ground loop
- ⚡ in the riser, you pull a single conductor to your shield with a solid wire. It should be a copper section of 10mm2
- ⚡ connect this conductor with a circuit and cable in the shield that feeds your apartment, namely with the third protective vein.
Or did you just want to ask about all the nuances of the connection before installing the equipment? In this article we decided to consider one very important issue, which directly relates to the connection of machines for washing things - how to ground the washing machine with your own hands. Next, we will consider the main ways to organize protection, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.
What is the danger of a ground wire missing?
With the appearance in a private house or apartment of such a necessary thing as a washing machine, first of all, it is necessary to take care of its safe operation. Because with improper connection, you can get a tangible electric shock by touching the body of the washing machine or spoiling sensitive electronics, which then is very difficult to repair.
The fact is that modern household appliances are designed for a three-wire network, which includes, in addition to the phase and neutral conductors, also grounding. But, unfortunately, in the old house or Khrushchev, you can often see only two conductors (phase and zero). Typically, the washing machine is equipped with a line filter, which is designed to block unwanted jumps of current at a frequency different from the claimed 50 Hz and is connected to the body of the machine. With two-wire wiring, in the presence of such a filter, a residual voltage of 110 V is formed on the body. Since washing machines are most often placed in the bathroom, due to constant humidity, the risk of electric shock is only increased.
How can I solve the problem?
There are several ways to ground the washing machine in an apartment and a house:
- connection of the housing to the water supply and sewerage or heating batteries;
- output of a separate socket connected to the electrical panel with ground;
- the creation of a system for equalizing the potentials of household appliances;
- creating your own ground loop (in private homeownership).
It should be noted immediately that the first option is working and effective, but has a number of significant drawbacks. The fact is that if you close the ground wire to a pipe with water, then after a while it will leak out, risking flooding the neighbors from the bottom. The same goes for heating and sewage pipes. So from such a method it is better to refuse. Moreover, he is prohibited rules of electrical safety.
More competently will connect to the switchboard, which is in each apartment building. You can make a separate outlet for the washing machine, throwing a three-wire wire from the shield. Errors in this case can be that people often confuse the concepts of grounding and working zero. Do not ground the ground wire to zero. Here the main thing is not to mix up and connect each vein to the corresponding bus, otherwise you can get a short circuit with all the ensuing consequences. Alternatively, it is possible to pierce the copper wire only from the grounding bar and iron "plant" it on the body of the washing machine. But the first option is more aesthetic and correct.
The principle of operation is that the housings of all metal household electrical appliances and components, including the washing machine, are connected together by conductive conductors. In this case, the potential is evenly distributed among them, and by the principle of least resistance, the human body will pass. This scheme is quite simple and you can do it yourself.
Also an exit from the situation, if there is no grounding or if a two-wire wire can serve as a connection of a so-called, that is, a protective shutdown device. The principle of its operation is based on a higher sensitivity to leakage currents and a faster response to protective devices. This device saved many lives. Since in the breakdown to the body of the machine, the RCD fixes the change in the value of the currents in the phase and zero conductors, and because of the change in the induced magnetic fluxes in the core, it immediately works.
This option is currently the most common and safe among all of the above. In addition, it fully meets all the requirements and rules of electrical safety.
In case if it is required to ground not only the machine, but also the private house, in which the two-wire electrical circuit, it is required to make its own circuit, to which it is possible to connect the grounding conductor and extend it to the opening flap. To do this, near the house you will need to dig a ditch in the form of an equilateral triangle, each side of which must be at least three meters in length and about fifty centimeters deep. One of the vertices should point towards the house, as shown in the photo below:
