Grounding and Bonding
Grounding connects an electrical system to the earth using wires called Grounding Electrode Conductors (GECs) and materials like metal rods. This creates a safe path for electricity to flow in case something goes wrong, such as a lightning strike or a fault in the system. Grounding protects people and equipment by safely directing dangerous electricity away.
Grounding and Bonding
- How it works: One part of the circuit, usually the neutral wire, is connected to the earth. This connection keeps the voltage in the system stable, especially during issues like short circuits or power surges. It ensures that all parts of the system maintain safe, predictable voltage levels relative to the ground.
- Example: In homes and businesses, the neutral wire in a three-wire electrical system is connected to a ground rod (or another approved grounding material) buried in the earth. This setup helps keep the system safe and reduces the risk of electrical hazards.
Bonding is different from grounding. It connects metal parts of the electrical system that don’t normally carry electricity, such as the metal cases of appliances, using wires called Equipment Grounding Conductors (EGCs) or bonding jumpers. Bonding ensures that all these parts have the same electrical charge, preventing shocks if you touch two metal parts at the same time.
- How it works: If a live wire (one carrying electricity) accidentally touches a metal part, bonding provides a safe path for the electricity to flow back to the circuit breaker panel. This creates a high current that causes the breaker to trip or a fuse to blow, shutting off the power and stopping the danger. This greatly reduces the risk of electric shock.
- Example: The metal case of an appliance or a piece of equipment is bonded to the system ground. If there’s a fault that energizes the metal case, the bonding wire provides an alternative path for the current to flow, causing the circuit breaker or fuse to shut off the power and protect anyone who might touch the equipment.
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2-3. What method connects the non-current-carrying metal parts of the electrical equipment to protect against electric shock?
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