Importance of Bonding and Grounding

BONDing and grounding is NO joke!!!

Grounding in electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industries is something that many people do not understand and/or take for granted. For instance, It is not uncommon for the grounding pin of an appliance or extension cord to be removed so the plug could fit into a 2-prong outlet. People do this BUT without fully understanding the dangers of using an ungrounded device or appliance.

In theory, electricity will always follow the shortest path to ground, and if the wiring is not done properly than there is always a possibility of you becoming a part of that path, which can carry some dire cosequences. The 3rd prong on a 3-prong outlet ensures the grounding connection, that is required to protect you in the case a tool/appliance/equipment becomes energized through fault to the casing or body of it. If this 3rd prong is removed from the end of a cord than the piece of equipment it powers is no longer bonded to gorund, and can cause serious bodily harm or death to the user of the equipment.

Grounding and bonding should not be taken for granted. They play an important role in protecting us from electric shock. We should always ensure that our electrical equipment with conductive casings are properly grounded. Do not cut the 3rd prong from the plug of your appliance so that the plug can fit into a 2-prong outlet. Instead, replace the 2-prong outlet with a 3-prong one, and ensure that its grounding port is properly grounded. In that way, your appliance will be grounded when in use, providing some safeguard against electric shock.