BONDING

If only one statement were to be made about grounding and bonding, it would be that all
non- current-carrying parts of electrical equipment and nonelectrical equipment, likely to become
energized, be effectively grounded and bonded together. By using this general philosophy, there
will be a minimum (near zero) risk that the non-current-carrying parts of equipment could become
energized. This would greatly reduce the risk of electrical shock or electrocution of any person
likely to come into contact with the equipment. As discussed earlier, a general statement in OSHA
29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(vii) includes, “other factors which contribute to the practical safeguarding
of employees using or likely to come in contact with the equipment.” One of these “other factors”
refers to grounding and bonding of equipment likely to become energized.
NEC Section 250.90 states that bonding must be provided where necessary to ensure
electrical continuity. Bonding is also required to ensure the capacity to safely conduct any fault
current that is likely to be imposed on the equipment. This requirement applies to all types of
equipment, systems, and structures. NEC Article 250, Part V. Bonding, must be complied with in
order to size the bonding jumper correctly. Table 4.2 illustrates further why Part V must be adhered
to.

The key here is to know where the bonding jumper is and what it is being used for; it makes
a significant difference. If the wrong section or table is used, the bonding jumper may not be of
adequate current-carrying capacity to safely conduct any fault current likely to be imposed on it.
EQUIPMENT GROUNDING
Equipment to be grounded
Equipment to be grounded essentially means that all non-current-carrying metal parts of
electrical equipment, whether fastened in place or portable, must be grounded. NEC Article 250,
Part VI, “Equipment Grounding and Equipment Grounding Conductors” very specifically lays out
the requirements for equipment grounding for electrical as well as nonelectrical equipment that
could become energized. NEC Section 250.110 lists the requirements for equipment fastened in
place (fixed) and has three exceptions. Exception No. 2 itemizes, “distribution apparatus, such as
transformer and capacitor cases, mounted on wooden poles, at a height exceeding 8 ft above the
ground or grade level.” This exception would protect the general public from possible contact with
the ungrounded apparatus; however, it does not protect the person working on the pole. With
regard to these issues, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(9) states:
Non-current-carrying metal parts. Non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment or
devices, such as transformer cases and circuit breaker housings, shall be treated as
energized at the highest voltage to which they are exposed, unless the employer inspects
the installation and determines that these parts are grounded before work is performed.
The best practice is to always ground every case or enclosure that contains electrical
equipment or conductors. When in doubt, ground it.
GROUNDING CORD- AND PLUG-CONNECTED EQUIPMENT
NEC Section 250.114 states the same philosophy for cord- and plug-connected equipment,
as does Sections 250.110 through 250.112 for fixed equipment. It directs that all exposed non-
current-carrying metal parts that are likely to become energized must be grounded. A key point
here is “likely to become energized.” Any metal housing or enclosure that contains electrical
components is, at some time or another, likely to become energized. Proper equipment grounding
techniques will provide the sufficiently low impedance path required to cause the overcurrent
device to operate and clear the ground fault condition.
In the material written about electrical safety-related work practices, OSHA has provided
specific requirements for the use of portable electrical equipment and extension cords. This
requirement is found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.334 where it states:
Use of equipment. (a) Portable electric equipment. (3) Grounding type equipment. (i) A
flexible cord used with grounding type equipment shall contain an equipment grounding
conductor.
(ii) Attachment plugs and receptacles may not be connected or altered in a manner which
would prevent proper continuity of the equipment grounding conductor at the point where
plugs are attached to receptacles. Additionally, these devices may not be altered to allow
the grounding pole of a plug to be inserted into slots intended for connection to the
current-carrying conductors.
(iii) Adapters which interrupt the continuity of the equipment grounding connection may
not be used.
OSHA makes it very clear that this type of equipment must be grounded. Note as well the
statement in (iii) concerning adapters. The adapters referred to here are used when a grounded plug
is required to be used where an ungrounded receptacle exists. These adapters are UL approved and
can be used, but only if used properly, that is, the ground connection must be attached to a return
ground path. The problem with adapters is that the ground connection device is generally cut off
or otherwise not used, thus defeating the ground continuity.
 Equipment grounding conductors are required as stated previously, however, grounding
alone does not give complete protection when using portable cord- and plug-connected, hand-held
equipment and extension cords. The use of a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) when using
portable equipment will provide additional safety for the user. Grounding does provide a path for
ground fault current to flow to cause the overcurrent device to operate, however, it does not provide
protection when current leakage occurs due to moisture in a piece of equipment or when there is
an undetected cut in the cord or crack in the equipment case.
EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTORS
NEC Section 250.118 identifies several types of equipment grounding conductors. These
types vary from an equipment grounding conductor run with circuit conductors or enclosing them.
It can consist of one or more of the following:
1. A copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum conductor.
2. Rigid metal conduit.
3. Intermediate metal conduit.
4. Electrical metallic tubing.
5. Flexible metal conduit and fittings listed for grounding.
6. Liquid-tight flexible metal conduit and fittings listed for grounding.
7. Flexible metallic tubing, under conditions.
8. Type AC armored cable
9. Copper sheath of type MI cable.
10. Type MC Cable metal sheath.
11. Cable trays meeting the requirements of NEC Section 392.3(C) and 392.7.
12. Cable bus framework permitted by NEC Section 370.3.
13. Other metal raceways listed for grounding that are electrically continuous.
14. Surface metal raceways listed for grounding.

The equipment grounding conductor can either be bare, covered, or insulated. Where the
conductor is insulated it must be identified by a continuous outer finish of green, green with one
or more yellow stripes, or bare. Equipment grounding conductors larger than No. 6 and
multiconductor cable, where one or more conductors are designated for use as an equipment
grounding conductor, must be permanently identified as the equipment grounding conductor by
green stripping, coloring, or taping.
SIZING EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTORS
Equipment grounding conductors are required to be sized not smaller than is stated in NEC
Table 250.122 and are not required to be larger than the supply conductors. Section 250.122(B)
states that if conductors are adjusted in size to compensate for voltage drop, the equipment
grounding conductor must be adjusted proportionately according to circular mil area.