What is the primary purpose of the bonding process in electrical work?

The primary purpose of the bonding process in electrical work is to protect against electric shock. Bonding ensures that all metallic parts of an electrical system are connected together and properly grounded. This creates a low-resistance path for fault currents to flow safely to the ground in the event of a fault, such as a short circuit. When bonding is properly implemented, it helps to ensure that any accidental energization of metal components does not pose a hazard to personnel, minimizing the risk of electric shock.

While improving energy efficiency, reducing electromagnetic interference, and enhancing electrical signal quality are relevant to electrical systems, they are not the primary focus of the bonding process. Bonding specifically targets safety by ensuring that conductive parts are at the same electrical potential and can safely dissipate fault currents. By providing this safety measure, bonding is a crucial aspect of electrical installations and maintenance, mandated by electrical codes and standards.