What is the primary difference between grounding and bonding?

The primary difference between grounding and bonding is that grounding is primarily concerned with safety by providing a path for electrical current to flow safely into the earth in case of a fault, while bonding is intended to ensure that all metal parts of an electrical system are connected together to maintain a consistent electrical potential. This helps to reduce the risk of electric shock and ensures that all conductive surfaces are at the same voltage to avoid dangerous situations.

Grounding protects people from electric shock by directing unwanted electrical energy from lightning strikes or system faults into the ground. Bonding, on the other hand, reduces the risk of electrical shock and fire hazards by ensuring all metal parts are at the same electrical potential, preventing differences in voltage that could lead to electrical arcing or other dangerous conditions.

The choice that indicates grounding is for safety aligns with this understanding, whereas explanations involving connecting to systems versus the earth, preventing overloads versus shorts, or distinguishing between electrical and mechanical aspects do not accurately capture the fundamental distinction between these two important electrical safety concepts.