What does the term 'bonding' primarily refer to in electrical work?

The term 'bonding' in electrical work primarily refers to the practice of ensuring safety during electrical installations. Bonding involves creating a low-resistance connection between various metallic parts of an electrical system, including equipment enclosures and ground systems. This is crucial for preventing hazardous voltages from building up on metal parts that could be touched by a person, thereby reducing the risk of electric shock.

When all exposed metallic parts are bonded together, they are at the same electrical potential. In case of a fault, this prevents dangerous voltage from appearing on exposed surfaces. Additionally, effective bonding aids in the operation of overcurrent protective devices, which can help mitigate potential electrical hazards.

In contrast, connecting circuits focuses on the arrangement and interconnection of electrical paths; reducing electrical power consumption pertains to energy efficiency concerns; and insulating wires primarily deals with preventing unintended current flow between conductive parts. Thus, bonding is specifically concerned with safety and the prevention of electric shock risks in electrical work.