What is the main difference between grounding and bonding?

The main difference between grounding and bonding lies in their specific purposes in electrical systems. Grounding provides a safety mechanism by connecting electrical equipment and systems to the earth, which helps to prevent electric shock and ensures safe discharge of electrical faults. This connection to the earth acts as a reference point, providing a path for fault currents to dissipate safely.

On the other hand, bonding involves connecting various conductive parts together to ensure they maintain the same electrical potential. This helps to eliminate differences in voltage that could create dangerous shock hazards if a person were to touch two bonded objects that have different potentials. By ensuring that all parts are at the same potential, bonding minimizes the risk of electric shock under fault conditions.

This distinction is crucial for understanding electrical safety practices and ensuring compliance with safety codes and standards. The correct answer accurately captures the essence of both grounding and bonding in their respective roles within an electrical installation.