What is bonding in the context of electrical systems?

In the context of electrical systems, bonding refers to the process of joining metallic parts together to form a conductive path. This is essential for ensuring safety and preventing hazardous electrical situations, such as electric shocks or equipment damage. By creating a low-resistance connection between different metallic components, bonding helps to equalize voltage and allows any fault current to safely dissipate to the ground.

This process is crucial in various installations, such as building electrical systems, where grounding and bonding practices are necessary to protect both equipment and personnel from electrical faults. Bonding ensures that there is a reliable path for electrical flow, mitigating the risks associated with stray voltages or electrical surges that could otherwise pose serious risks.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of electrical systems. Joining electrical circuits refers to the connection of pathways for electrical current but does not necessarily imply safety or proper grounding. Adding insulation to wiring focuses on protecting conductors from environmental factors and preventing short circuits rather than establishing a conductive path. Finally, connecting non-metallic parts does not involve bonding since those materials typically do not conduct electricity in a way that would create a safe path for fault currents.