In hazardous (classified) locations, should locknuts installed on each side of the enclosure be used for bonding?

In hazardous locations, using locknuts for bonding purposes is not appropriate because they may not provide the reliable electrical continuity required for grounding in such environments. Instead, bonding and grounding in these areas typically require systems and components that have been specifically tested and designated for use in hazardous conditions.

Locknuts, while common in standard applications for securing conduits and ensuring mechanical integrity, do not guarantee the necessary level of conductivity or protection against hazardous conditions, such as explosion hazards. Therefore, reliance on locknuts could pose a risk, leading to potential failure of the grounding system in critical safety situations.

Effective grounding methods in classified areas generally involve the use of tested grounding bars, bonding jumpers, or other approved devices designed explicitly for such environments to ensure maximum safety and compliance with relevant codes and standards.