What Is Bonding?
Bonding is the intentional connection of metal parts and electrical conductors so they share the same electrical potential and provide a dependable path for fault current. Bonding may connect equipment, enclosures, raceways, and other conductive parts. The connection helps protective devices respond when unwanted current reaches exposed metal.
Quick Facts About Bonding
Category
Electrical safety connection
Used for
Fault-current paths
Common confusion
Bonding is not the same as grounding
Also called
Equipotential bonding
Often discussed with
Electrical Code Correction
Key Takeaways About Bonding
- Bonding connects conductive parts, not just a circuit to the earth.
- A bonding path must remain continuous through connected equipment.
- Bonding and grounding describe related but different electrical functions.
How Bonding Works
Bonding joins conductive parts so a fault current has a low-impedance path back toward the source. That path may run through an equipment grounding conductor, metal raceway, panel enclosure, or bonding jumper. A continuous connection supports the operation of overcurrent protection when energized wiring contacts metal.
Related glossary terms: Equipment Grounding Conductor, Grounding Electrode, Continuity Test.
Bonding differs from grounding, which connects an electrical system or equipment to the earth. Bonding focuses on connections between conductive parts and equalizing their electrical potential. During an electrical code correction, an electrician may inspect panel connections, raceways, enclosures, and service equipment for loose, missing, or interrupted bonding paths. The work also includes checking that connected metal parts remain electrically continuous across fittings and sections.
From the GMB Electric team
When we inspect bonding during an Electrical Code Correction, we trace the intended fault-current path from equipment back toward the source. We check accessible connections for continuity, secure terminations, and interruptions that could leave metal parts electrically disconnected.
Bonding in Practice: A Real-World Example
An older panel has a metal raceway that stops at a replacement enclosure without a dependable bonding connection. During an Electrical Code Correction, the electrician identifies the break and restores a continuous path between the enclosure and the circuit equipment.
Related Services
Related Terms
Equipment Grounding Conductor
An equipment grounding conductor is a wire that connects exposed metal parts of electrical equipment to…
Grounding Electrode
A grounding electrode is a conductive connection between an electrical system and the earth. It may…
Continuity Test
A continuity test is an electrical check that determines whether a circuit path is complete from…
Panelboard
A panelboard is an electrical enclosure that holds circuit breakers, busbars, and connection points for distributing…
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Have Questions About Bonding?
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