Bonding and grounding are identical in all contexts.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It varies by context
• D. They are completely unrelated

Answer: (B)

Bonding and grounding are not identical in all contexts. Bonding connects conductive parts so they share the same electrical potential, preventing differential voltages that can cause static discharge or sparks during handling or movement of materials. Grounding, by contrast, ties equipment to the earth to provide a low-impedance path for fault currents, helping stabilize system voltage with respect to earth and enabling protective devices to operate.

Because they serve different safety aims, they’re used for complementary purposes rather than being interchangeable. Some situations involve bonding without an explicit earth connection, others rely on grounding without bonding every component, and many systems implement both. Therefore, the statement that bonding and grounding are identical in all contexts is not correct.