Sparky's Journal

📅 May 6, 2026

What Is a Bonded Conductor?

A bonded conductor is a conductor or metal component that has been electrically connected to other conductive parts to create continuity.

This includes:

• Equipment grounding conductors

• Bonding jumpers

• Metal raceways

• Enclosures

Bonding ensures all conductive parts remain electrically connected so fault current has a low-impedance path back to the source.

Are We Grounded?

Humans are not normally grounded in the electrical sense.

However, we can easily become grounded if we:

• Stand on earth

• Touch grounded metal

• Contact conductive building materials

If a person becomes part of a circuit between voltage and ground, current can flow through the body, which is why proper grounding and bonding are critical for safety.

What Is the Purpose of Grounding Equipment?

Grounding primarily serves to:

1. Stabilize system voltage

2. Provide a reference to Earth

3. Dissipate lightning and surge energy

4. Reduce voltage fluctuations

Grounding is not primarily intended to clear faults.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions in the electrical trade.

What Is the Purpose of Bonding Equipment?

Bonding exists to:

1. Create an effective fault current path

2. Ensure overcurrent devices trip quickly

3. Keep exposed metal parts at the same potential

4. Reduce shock hazards

When a phase conductor accidentally contacts metal equipment, bonding allows a large fault current to travel back to the source quickly, causing the breaker to trip.

Why Does This Matter?

Without proper grounding and bonding:

• Faults may not clear

• Equipment can remain energized

• Breakers may not trip

• Metal parts can become shock hazards

Grounding and bonding work together to protect both people and equipment.

Grounding establishes the system's reference to earth.

Bonding ensures fault current has a reliable path back to the source.

How Do We Implement Grounding and Bonding?

Grounding and bonding are implemented throughout an electrical system using:

• Grounding electrode conductors

• Grounding electrode systems

• Equipment grounding conductors

• Bonding jumpers

• Metal raceways

• Service bonding connections

These requirements are defined throughout the NFPA 70 National Electrical Code.

Where Does Grounding and Bonding Occur?

Key locations include:

• Service equipment

• Separately derived systems

• Panelboards

• Transformers

• Equipment enclosures

The main bonding jumper at the service equipment is where the grounded conductor (neutral) and the equipment grounding system are connected.

When Is Bonding Required?

Bonding is required whenever metal parts could become energized, including:

• Electrical enclosures

• Metal raceways

• Cable armor

• Structural metal

• Piping systems

This ensures any fault current has a safe path back to the source.

Who to Learn More From

Some of the best educators in the electrical industry include:

• Paul Abernathy

• Mike Holt

Both have spent decades teaching electricians how to better understand the why behind the code.

Books I Recommend

Some excellent learning resources include:

• Understanding the National Electrical Code by Mike Holt

• Electrical Grounding and Bonding by Phil Simmons

• NFPA 70 National Electrical Code Handbook by the National Fire Protection Association

✅ Core takeaway

• Grounding connects the electrical system to earth.

• Bonding connects metal parts together to create a fault current path.

Both are required to make an electrical system safe and effective.