The primary purpose of bonding metal equipment is to ___.

The primary purpose of bonding metal equipment is to ensure all metallic parts are at the same electrical potential, thereby minimizing the risk of electrical shock and ensuring safety. By bonding, a continuous electrical connection is established between various pieces of equipment and metallic structures, which helps to reduce the chances of voltage differences that could lead to dangerous conditions.

While options like limiting voltage surges and causing the quick operation of overcurrent protective devices (OCPDs) are important considerations in electrical systems, bonding’s core function is to equalize voltage across metal parts. Proper bonding creates a pathway for fault currents, facilitating the safe operation of OCPDs, but its fundamental goal is to maintain safety through a uniform potential across all connected metal parts. This alignment at the same voltage helps prevent electric shock hazards, particularly when individuals come into contact with the equipment.