What is the primary purpose of bonding in electrical systems?

The primary purpose of bonding in electrical systems is to ensure safety by limiting voltage differences. Bonding connects various conductive parts of an electrical system together, which helps to create a low-resistance path for fault currents. This minimizes the risk of electric shock and allows protective devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses, to operate correctly in the event of a fault. By maintaining all bonded parts at the same electrical potential, bonding prevents dangerous voltage differences that could result in harmful electrical shocks or equipment damage. The effectiveness of bonding is crucial to enhancing the overall safety of electrical installations, particularly in reducing hazards associated with stray voltages or grounding faults.

Improving energy efficiency, preventing overloading, and regulating power distribution are important aspects of electrical systems, but they are not the primary focus of bonding. The main intention is clearly safety and preventing voltage discrepancies.