When using a personal equipotential ground, what happens if there is a pole ground present?

When utilizing a personal equipotential ground, the primary aim is to minimize the potential difference that could cause dangerous amounts of current to pass through the body, especially in the context of working near energized equipment or structures.

In the presence of a pole ground, which typically connects to a utility or grounding system that is designed to handle fault conditions, the equipotential ground can inadvertently create a pathway through which more current could flow. This situation arises because the equipotential ground may establish a lower potential at the worker's location, but if there is a substantial grounding electrode like a pole ground nearby, it can attract and concentrate more current due to the difference in grounding methods.

This results in a scenario where, rather than reducing the current that passes through the body, the current could actually increase because of the available strong ground path associated with the pole. Proper grounding practices aim to ensure safety by balancing potential hazards, but in the absence of adequate safety measures, the presence of a pole ground can lead to a more dangerous situation for the worker, thus allowing more current to flow through them.