Bonding is primarily used to reduce the risk of what hazard?

Bonding is primarily used to reduce the risk of shock hazards. The primary purpose of bonding is to ensure that all metallic parts of a system are connected together so that they have the same electrical potential. This connection helps create a low-resistance path for fault currents, minimizing the risk of electric shock to individuals who come into contact with equipment or appliances. When bonding is properly implemented, it helps prevent situations where a person could become a path for electrical current, which significantly enhances safety in electrical systems.

While fire hazards, equipment deterioration, and voltage fluctuations can also be important considerations in electrical installations, they are not the primary focus of bonding. Fire hazards can arise from overcurrents or faulty wiring, equipment deterioration is usually related to environmental factors or poor maintenance, and voltage fluctuations pertain more to issues with power supply or load management rather than bonding itself.