<P> Connection to ground also limits the build - up of static electricity when handling flammable products or electrostatic - sensitive devices . In some telegraph and power transmission circuits, the earth itself can be used as one conductor of the circuit, saving the cost of installing a separate return conductor (see single - wire earth return). </P> <P> For measurement purposes, the Earth serves as a (reasonably) constant potential reference against which other potentials can be measured . An electrical ground system should have an appropriate current - carrying capability to serve as an adequate zero - voltage reference level . In electronic circuit theory, a "ground" is usually idealized as an infinite source or sink for charge, which can absorb an unlimited amount of current without changing its potential . Where a real ground connection has a significant resistance, the approximation of zero potential is no longer valid . Stray voltages or earth potential rise effects will occur, which may create noise in signals or if large enough will produce an electric shock hazard . </P> <P> The use of the term ground (or earth) is so common in electrical and electronics applications that circuits in portable electronic devices such as cell phones and media players as well as circuits in vehicles may be spoken of as having a "ground" connection without any actual connection to the Earth, despite "common" being a more appropriate term for such a connection . This is usually a large conductor attached to one side of the power supply (such as the "ground plane" on a printed circuit board) which serves as the common return path for current from many different components in the circuit . </P> <P> Long - distance electromagnetic telegraph systems from 1820 onwards used two or more wires to carry the signal and return currents . It was then discovered, probably by the German scientist Carl August Steinheil in 1836--1837, that the ground could be used as the return path to complete the circuit, making the return wire unnecessary . However, there were problems with this system, exemplified by the transcontinental telegraph line constructed in 1861 by the Western Union Company between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California . During dry weather, the ground connection often developed a high resistance, requiring water to be poured on the ground rod to enable the telegraph to work or phones to ring . </P>

What electrode is used as a ground reference