What is Electrical bonding and how is it useful for electrical system

What is electrical bonding

It is a method by which all conductive materials and metallic surfaces of equipment and structures, not normally intended to be energized, they are effectively interconnected together by a low impedance conductive means and path in order to avoid potential difference between any separate points. Bonding of electrically conductive materials, electrical equipment, through a low impedance path are completely independent and unrelated to any intended contact or connection to the earth.

Bonding is done for non-electrical metallic parts connected to establish electrical continuity and conductivity by joining metallic parts together to form a metallic conductive path. It should be designed in a way which provides a low impedance path for fault current

Why electrical bonding is needed

Effective bonding is done to eliminate or minimize the potential difference between non-current carrying metallic surfaces within the electrical system. Laboratories and satellites orbiting the earth surface doesn’t have any direct contact with the surface of the earth, so in order to avoid the differences in potential all these conductive surface of the satellite must be bonded together

Components related to bonding

Bonding jumper

It is a reliable conductor which is used to ensure the required electrical conductivity between metal parts which requires to be electrically connected

Bonding jumper, equipment

It is the connection between two or more section of the grounding equipment conductor

Bonding jumper, main

It is the connection between the equipment grounding conductor and the grounded circuit conductor

Bonding jumper, system

It is the connection between the equipment grounding conductor and grounded circuit conductor at a separately derived system

What is the difference between Bonding and earthing

Bonding is done for the joining of metallic parts in order to create an electrically conductive path which will provide electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be imposed. While the ground is done to remove the unwanted current and it also provides a return path for main current

What is bonding jumper system

A conductor is installed between the grounded conductor and the equipment grounding conductor at a separately derived system for electrical safety and continuity and they are able to conduct safely any fault current

The major function of the bonding jumper is to complete the connection between the equipment grounding conductor and source grounded conductor, so phase to ground fault current can travel back to source.so the overcurrent protective device can operate properly. A bonding jumper is installed in the main distribution panel or at the power source