ABSTRACT
Grounding is a conducting connection by which an electrical circuit or equipment is connected to earth or to some conducting body of relatively large extent that serves in place of earth. Bonding is intentional electrical interconnecting of conductive paths in order to ensure common electrical potential between the bonded parts. The primary purpose of grounding and bonding is electrical safety. With the advent of the electronic age, grounding and bonding have taken on the additional roles of serving as reference planes for low-level analog or digital signals. Grounding of electrical systems is mandated by the electrical codes that govern the operation of electrical power systems. The National Electrical Code in the US is the body that lays out requirements for electrical systems for premises. The chapter discusses various types of ground electrodes and their use. The earth resistance test is a means to ensure that the ground electrode system of a facility has adequate contact with earth.
