Correct grounding and bonding are key components of electrical and telecommunications work. But they are also uniquely essential in pool building. Knowing the correct rules and procedures isn’t something most pool builders have had to learn. We make equipotential bonding suitable for both the layman and the seasoned pro.

What is the Difference Between Grounding and Bonding?

Knowing the difference between grounding and bonding is the first step to doing them correctly. Often, terms are used incorrectly or interchangeably, but they are different things. Grounding – is the action of connecting part of a circuit to ground (or earth, depending on where you are from). This causes any voltage buildup in the connected parts of the circuit to dissipate into the ground. How well the voltage dissipates depends on the length and material of the grounding rod, and how well the circuit is connected to it. That brings us to bonding. Bonding – is the connecting of materials to ensure electricity can freely flow between those materials. One of the most common examples is connecting grounding wires to metal enclosures. Ensuring a good connection between surfaces is the key to proper bonding. Things such as paint, corrosion or incorrect equipment can lead to poor bonding. Poor bonding means poor grounding — which can lead to danger. What is the Difference Between Grounding and BondingThere are numerous parts of both electrical circuits and structures that should be bonded together to manage voltage differential. In pool building, one of the missing ingredients was equipment for attaching grounding conductor to rebar. This, along with a few other items we engineered ourselves, was created to improve quality of life of pool builders and to ensure the highest of standards in your grounding and bonding work during pool construction. Grounding can also refer to a potentially dangerous situation of a ground fault. In this case power is unintentionally shorted (fully or partially) to the grounded part of a circuit. This can even lead to metal cases on electrical equipment being positively charged, sometimes enough to be lethal. Since water is a large contributor to creating ground faults (the classic “toaster in the bathtub” is an example), this is an especially large problem for pool areas. This type of grounding is what GFCI (ground fault current interrupter) outlets are designed to catch — causing them to trip and turn off, saving the end user. We offer everything a pool and spa distributor or builder could need to safely handle grounding and bonding for your clients, throughout the country.