Grounding and Bonding: Safety Essentials

Grounding and Bonding: How Are They Different?

Grounding and bonding are often confused, but they’re not the same. Both work together to keep electrical systems safe.

• Grounding → Connecting an electrical system to the earth, using a grounding electrode. This stabilizes voltage and helps clear faults.
• Bonding → Connecting metal parts (that shouldn’t normally carry current) together so that, in case of a fault, electricity has a low-resistance path back to the source. This ensures the breaker (OCPD) trips.

👉 Think of grounding as the “connection to earth” and bonding as the “connection between parts.”

Why Are They Important?

According to the NEC® 2023, proper grounding and bonding:

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• Provide a safe path for lightning, surges, and faults.
• Ensure protective devices trip quickly.
• Prevent shocks, arc-flash, or fires.

Without them, fault currents may never be cleared — creating dangerous situations.

Grounding Methods (NEC 250)

Approved grounding electrodes include:

• Metal water pipe in the earth
• Building steel
• Concrete-encased electrode (“Ufer ground”)
• Ground ring

These connect back to the service neutral with a Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC), completing the path.

Bonding in Practice

Bonding ensures continuity between enclosures, pipes, and non-current carrying parts. Examples include:

• Equipment grounding conductors (EGCs)
• Conduit systems (RMC, IMC, EMT)
• Bonding jumpers and bushings

This creates a reliable low-impedance path so protective devices trip instantly.

Grounding & Bonding for Flammable Liquids

When transferring fuels or solvents:

• Bonding → connect containers to equalize charge.
• Grounding → connect to earth to discharge static.

⚠️ Without bonding/grounding, static sparks can ignite vapors.

Key Definitions

• Grounding (Earthing) → Connecting to the earth for zero potential.
• Bonding → Connecting two conductive parts together so they share the same potential.
• EGC (Equipment Grounding Conductor) → In the U.S., this conductor is both grounding and bonding, though technically it performs bonding.

✅ In short:

• Grounding connects to earth.
• Bonding connects equipment.
• Together, they protect people, equipment, and facilities.

⚡ Stay safe: Always follow NEC/IEC standards when installing grounding and bonding systems.

Here download the Pdf about Grounding and Bonding.pdf