What does "bonding" mean in electrical systems?

Bonding in electrical systems refers to the practice of connecting exposed metal parts together to ensure safety and prevent electrical shock. This process creates a path for fault current to flow safely to the ground, reducing the risk of electrical shock hazards. When various metal components of an electrical system, such as equipment housings, enclosures, and conductive parts, are bonded together, they are at the same electrical potential. This minimizes the chance of any differences in electrical potential that could lead to dangerous shock conditions if a person were to come into contact with different metal parts.

The significance of bonding cannot be overstated as it forms a crucial part of the overall grounding system. By ensuring that all exposed conductive parts are connected and bonded, it contributes to the overall safety and integrity of the electrical installation.

In this context, the other options do not accurately represent the definition of bonding. While grounding is related, as it involves connections to the ground, it is distinct from the practice of bonding, which focuses specifically on connecting metal parts to prevent shock. The process of attaching wires to a circuit board involves soldering or mechanical connection, and securing wires within a conduit pertains to physical installation practices, neither of which aligns with the concept of bonding in electrical safety.