How can an equipotential zone be established around a construction vehicle?

Establishing an equipotential zone around a construction vehicle is essential for ensuring the safety of personnel working in the vicinity, especially when there is exposure to electrical hazards. The correct choice involves connecting a ground to the portable ground mat.

This approach is effective because it allows the ground mat to distribute electrical energy evenly across its surface, thus reducing the likelihood of a voltage difference that could result in electric shock. The portable ground mat creates a low-resistance path to ground for any stray currents, which helps to equalize the electrical potential across the area around the construction vehicle. By creating this equipotential zone, workers are less likely to experience a shock, as there is no significant voltage gradient across the mat where they would be standing.

Using insulating material, increasing the voltage levels, or relying on a single ground rod would not effectively create an equipotential zone. Insulating material may prevent shocks but does not control electrical potential. Increasing voltage levels could actually heighten danger by creating larger potential differences. A single ground rod may not offer sufficient grounding or equipotential spread, especially in areas with varying ground conditions, making it less effective than the multi-point grounding achieved with a ground mat.