Which statement best describes the two concepts of grounding and bonding?

• A. Grounding provides a path to earth for fault currents; bonding connects conductive parts to reduce potential differences.
• B. Grounding and bonding are the same and interchangeable.
• C. Grounding is only for exterior equipment; bonding is only for interior.
• D. Bonding provides a path to earth for fault currents; grounding keeps all parts at the same potential.

Answer: (A)

Grounding and bonding are two separate safety practices that work together to keep people and equipment safe. Grounding provides a path to earth for fault currents, which helps stabilize system voltage and allows protective devices to trip quickly by directing fault current to the earth through the grounding conductor and electrode. Bonding, meanwhile, ties together exposed conductive parts so they share the same electrical potential, minimizing dangerous voltage differences between metal components.

The option that describes grounding as a path to earth for fault currents and bonding as a way to reduce potential differences between conductive parts best captures how these functions work in practice. It isn’t saying they’re the same thing, and it isn’t limiting grounding to exterior equipment or interior-only bonding—the roles of grounding and bonding apply broadly to keep circuits safe in various situations.