Transmissions:

Some of HVDC power transmission systems use the ground as the second conductor. This is particularly common in submarine cable systems such as sea water is a good conductor. Buried grounding electrodes are used to make the connection to the earth. The site of these electrodes must be very carefully selected to prevent the electrochemical corrosion of underground structures.

In the Single Wire Earth Return (Swer):

AC power distribution systems, costs saved with the help of only one high-voltage cable for the power grid, while the return routing AC power through the earth. This system is used mainly in rural areas do not arise where large rivers on earth otherwise risks.

A particular concern in the design of electrical substations is rising earth potential. Be injected at very high fault currents in the earth, the area around the injection site increased to a high potential in terms of distant points. This is due to the limited finite conductivity of the layers of the soil in the ground. ) The course of the voltage (alternating voltage within a distance can be so high that two points are on the ground significantly different potentials, creating a danger to everyone on the floor in the area. Pipes, rails, wires or communication from the input of a substation can see different ground potentials inside and outside the substation, a hazardous touch voltage.