What is the primary role of bonding and grounding schemes in electrical systems?

The primary role of bonding and grounding schemes in electrical systems is to ensure safety and prevent electrical shock. Bonding involves connecting electrical equipment and metallic structures to create a common ground potential, reducing the risk of shock by ensuring that all equipment is at the same electrical potential. Grounding provides a path for fault currents to safely dissipate into the earth, which protects both people and equipment from electrical hazards. When a fault occurs, the grounding system helps to trip circuit breakers or blow fuses, thereby interrupting the current flow, minimizing the chance of accidental electrocution.

While energy efficiency, signal transmission, and operational costs are important factors in electrical systems, they are not the main focus of bonding and grounding. The design and implementation of these systems prioritize safety as a top concern, as proper bonding and grounding mitigate risks associated with unintentional electrical contact and surges.