Can an insulated grounding conductor be used for bonding?

An insulated grounding conductor typically should not be used for bonding because bonding conductors are specifically intended to create a low-impedance path for fault current and should be uninsulated to ensure reliable electrical contact with the equipment being bonded. The fundamental purpose of bonding is to ensure that all exposed conductive parts are at the same electrical potential to prevent shock hazards, which is best achieved when the bonding conductor has direct metal-to-metal contact without insulation that could inhibit contact or introduce resistance.

In contrast, insulation may interfere with the effectiveness of the bond by introducing resistance at the connection points. Therefore, bonding conductors should be bare or only have minimal insulation that does not cover the entire conductor length to maintain effective bonding properties. This is in line with the National Electrical Code and grounding and bonding best practices, making the assertion that bonding conductors should not be insulated the correct perspective.