Distinguishing Between Earthing and Bonding: Essential Concepts for domestic Electrical Safety

In a nutshell, Earthing & Bonding are not the same thing. Here we explain why…

Earthing serves the purpose of connecting exposed conductive parts to the main earthing terminal. Its primary function is to establish a reliable path to the ground for fault currents, should a fault occur within the system. This grounding is a critical safety measure to protect against electrical hazards. This is what you see in your sockets and light fittings around your property and connects them all back to the main board.

Protective bonding, on the other hand, is designed to connect extraneous conductive parts to the main earthing terminal. Its primary aim is to prevent potential differences that could lead to hazardous touch voltages. By effectively bonding extraneous conductive parts, the risk of electric shock and other safety hazards is minimized.

Below is a picture of a typical houses Distribution board under the stairs or by the front door, the green arrow shows the main earth connection on an older domestic property, the red arrow at the bottom shows the Protective Bonding.

One common misconception we often encounter in our work on domestic properties in Medway and Maidstone is the belief that all water pipes require protective bonding. In reality, this is not the case. If the incoming water service pipe is constructed from non-conductive materials like plastic and doesn't come into contact with the earth accidentally, it does not qualify as an extraneous conductive part. Therefore, there is no requirement for bonding in such instances.

If you have any questions or need assistance with electrical safety measures, feel free to get in touch with M&B Electrical Kent. We're here to help ensure the safety and reliability of your electrical installations.