What is the purpose of bonding in a lightning protection system?

The purpose of bonding in a lightning protection system is to create electrical continuity between metal objects. This ensures that all conductive components within the system, as well as any structures and equipment they are connected to, share the same electrical potential. When a lightning strike occurs, this uniform potential helps to minimize the risk of side-flashes and allows the lightning current to safely flow through the intended path to ground, reducing the likelihood of damage to both the structure and its occupants.

By ensuring that metal objects are bonded together, it prevents differences in voltage potential that could lead to hazardous electrical arcs or sparks. Additionally, bonding enhances the effectiveness and reliability of the overall lightning protection system by forming a low-resistance path that is crucial for safely redirecting lightning energy away from the structure.

Understanding this concept reinforces the necessity of properly bonding all metallic components within a lightning protection system, which is critical for maintaining safety during a lightning event.