Glossary: Path to Ground

The electrical link between a static-dissipative and conductive material and the earth.

Electrical conduit is an example of path to ground; the neutral or “green wire” is attached to the conduit and discharges electricity safely to the earth through the metal housing and pipes encapsulating the “hot wires.”

Functioning conductive or dissipative flooring materials must have some form of external (or exposed) conductivity in order to attach or connect to a path to ground. Static-dissipative carpet, for example, finds a path to ground from: 1) exposed conductive fibers; 2) its dissipative backing; 3) conductive adhesive; 4) copper grounding strips attached to conduit or building steel.

A breach or omission in any of these four mechanisms will result in an open circuit on the flooring surface, with no path to ground.

Illustration demonstrating how charges are grounded with ESD carpet. A person (cropped to show legs/feet) stands on a carpet tile. A zoomed-in close up shows the carpet tile and backing. Underneath the tile is a layer of conductive adhesive and then the floor. The diagram shows the path to ground for the charge from the person. The illustration shows how conductive carpet fibers sweep static from shoe soles and transport charges to the underlying ground plane (conductive adhesive or underlayment).
Illustration demonstrating how charges are grounded with ESD carpet. A person (cropped to show legs/feet) stands on a carpet tile. A zoomed-in close up shows the carpet tile and backing. Underneath the tile is a layer of conductive adhesive and then the floor. The diagram shows the path to ground for the charge from the person. The illustration shows how conductive carpet fibers sweep static from shoe soles and transport charges to the underlying ground plane (conductive adhesive or underlayment).
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Background graphic is a still from the StaticWorx GroundSafe ESD Flooring – Your Trusted Partner explainer animation. In the foreground at the bottom are two boxes. The top is a bright blue with the StaticWorx logo and "GroundSafe ESD Flooring" underneath in white. The second is a dark blue-gray and includes the text in white: “GroundWorx ESD Flooring – Your Trusted Partner”
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StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity. ESD flooring is part of a system. Choices should always be based on objective, researched evidence. When you partner with us, we look at all possible items that may need to integrate with the floor, and, focusing on your goals and objectives, help you find the right floor for your application.