What does the term 'bonding' refer to in electrical systems?

The term 'bonding' in electrical systems refers to establishing an electrical connection for safety. This practice is essential for ensuring that all metallic parts of an electrical system are electrically connected to help prevent shock hazards and ensure that, in the event of a fault, the electrical current has a safe path to the ground. Proper bonding helps to equalize the electrical potential between different conductive parts, mitigating the risk of electrical shock.

The primary goal of bonding is to minimize the risk of electric shock to individuals and to ensure that protective devices, like circuit breakers, operate correctly in the event of a fault condition. This process is critical in maintaining the safety standards required in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations.