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In commercial, institutional or industrial buildings, it is important to have proper bonding and grounding for the machines and other electrical equipments to function properly. Having proper bonding and grounding will ensure effective return path from the grounded circuit s of machines or other equipments to the power source, thus the equipment will be fully protected and electric shock hazard potential will be eliminated. By avoiding these problems, machines will increase process time, the cost of maintenance and service will be reduced and safer working environment will be established.

However, bonding, grounding or earthing are often confused in certain situations. Sometimes, failure to differentiate these terms may cause more troubles. Therefore, it is important to understand the definitions of these terms.

Grounding is the term for establishing a connection between an electrical circuit of the equipment or machinery and the earth or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth, usually through ground rods or other suitable grounding electrodes. Grounding provides a path for surges in the power systems, conducting electrical energy to earth to prevent arcing, heating, or explosion during a lightning strike. It is strongly advised that only a proper grounding system can prevent harmful power failure.

Equipments and machineries that are properly grounded can reduce the number of nuisance problems, such as rebooting, data errors, and sudden shutdowns. This reduce is due to the minimized amount of voltage transients or “noise” on the ground rod, as compared to a common building grounding system. However, during thunderstorm or unstable ground, an isolated ground can become shock hazard potential for employees and cause damage to your machines and equipments.

Earthing and grounding basically have the same concept. However, earthing is usually known to have been accomplished by bonding of a metallic system to earth, usually by inserting ground rods or other electrodes deep inside earth. The purpose of earthing is to minimize risk of receiving an electric shock if touching metal parts when a fault occurs.

bonding is the practice of electrically connecting all metallic non-current carrying items in a room or building as protection from electric shock. The main purpose is to equalize ground potential and eliminate static discharge between components and equipments. When there is electrical failure, all metal objects in the room will have the same electrical potential, electrons flow from one component to the other in attempts to equalize the two components. Without proper bonding, the electrons will damage any equipment in its path. By achieving a common ground potential with proper bonding, it will reduce the potential of electrical shock, equipment and machine failure, and loss of data.

For more information or assistance regarding bonding, grounding, and earthing, you can consult with PT. Surya Cakra Mandiri. We will provide you with information and the best support to ensure better protection of your machineries and safer working environment.