Which statement accurately describes the difference between earthing and bonding?

• A. Earthing is the connection of exposed conductive parts to the main earthing terminal; bonding is the connection of extraneous conductive parts to each other and to the main earthing terminal.
• B. Earthing and bonding are the same process.
• C. Earthing protects by insulation.
• D. Bonding protects by placing equipment out of reach.

Answer: (A)

The main concept is providing safe paths for fault currents and keeping metal parts at the same potential. Earthing means linking exposed conductive parts directly to the earth through the main earthing terminal, giving fault current a low-impedance route to ground so protective devices can trip. Bonding, meanwhile, connects extraneous conductive parts together and to the main earthing terminal to ensure they all share the same electrical potential, reducing the risk of shock from voltage differences between metalwork. The statement describes this distinction accurately: exposed conductive parts are connected to the main earthing terminal, and extraneous conductive parts are connected to each other and to that terminal. The other options don’t fit because earthing is not about insulation, bonding is not simply about placing equipment out of reach, and the two processes are distinct rather than the same.