What is the purpose of an equipment bonding jumper in electric installations?

The purpose of an equipment bonding jumper in electrical installations is fundamentally to ensure proper grounding. This bonding jumper creates a low-resistance path that connects the non-current-carrying metal parts of electrical equipment to the grounding system. By doing so, it helps protect both people and equipment from electric shock hazards and ensures that, in the event of a fault, any fault current is redirected safely to ground.

Proper grounding is essential for the safety of electrical systems, as it helps in facilitating the operation of protective devices like circuit breakers and fuses. When properly grounded, these devices are more likely to trip in the event of a fault, thereby minimizing the risk of electrical fires or electrocution. The bonding jumper is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the grounding system, ensuring that each piece of equipment is effectively grounded, reducing the risk of dangerous potentials that could arise from electrical faults.

Understanding the role of equipment bonding jumpers is vital for electrical safety, as it underpins many of the protective measures mandated in electrical codes and standards.