What safety hazard does an equi-potential ground bracket help mitigate?

An equi-potential ground bracket is specifically designed to reduce the risk associated with step potential hazards. Step potential occurs when there is a difference in electrical potential between two points on the ground due to a fault condition, such as lightning strikes or equipment failures. When a person steps from one point to another with significantly different electrical potential, they could experience a dangerous electric shock, which can be life-threatening.

The equi-potential ground bracket works by creating a common ground reference, ensuring that the electrical potential remains the same across the bracket's surface. This helps to prevent the hazardous voltage difference that could occur during an electrical fault, effectively protecting individuals who may be near or interacting with electrical equipment. In environments where livestock or humans might be present, this safety feature is crucial to prevent injuries from step potential scenarios.

Other types of hazards, such as fire hazards, lightning hazards, and animal hazards, are in different contexts and not directly addressed by equi-potential ground brackets, which focus solely on managing electrical potential risks.