What is Grounding and Bonding? T&B.

Abstract: This article discusses the two types of grounded electrical systems: a wiring system ground and an equipment ground. Grounding helps protect electrical equipment and circuits from exposure to high voltages.

A wiring system ground consists of grounding a wire from the electrical system. This reduces the voltage sustained on a circuit that might occur from lightning or other dangerous voltages. A system with a grounded wire will automatically open a circuit if a ground fault occurs in an ungrounded conductor. The article explains which wire should be grounded depending on the electrical system.

An equipment ground is the "bonding" of non-current carrying metal parts and connecting it to system grounding electrode. This connection provides a low impedance path for fault current to flow in case the over-current devices need to open the circuit. This bonding together of metal enclosures is required for grounded and ungrounded electrical systems.