What does bonding mean in electrical safety?

• A. The process of connecting conductive components to ensure electrical continuity and minimize potential differences.
• B. Isolating all conductors.
• C. Grounding only at the service entrance.
• D. Insulating all metal parts.

Answer: (A)

Bonding is the practice of tying together metal parts that could become energized so they share a common electrical path. By connecting these conductive components, you ensure electrical continuity and minimize potential differences between them, which helps keep exposed metal surfaces at the same electrical potential. This reduces the chance of shock if a fault occurs, and it gives fault current a low-impedance route so protective devices can trip quickly to clear the fault. Bonding is different from grounding, which establishes a path to earth; bonding focuses on equalizing potential among metal parts. The other options don’t fit because isolating conductors removes the needed path for safety, grounding only at the service entrance is not about equalizing potential among all metal parts, and insulating all metal parts prevents these parts from being at the same potential, increasing shock and arc risk.