Jordbinding

Jordbinding, also known as ground binding or earth bonding, is a technique used in electrical safety to connect conductive non-current-carrying parts of an electrical system to the earth. The primary purpose of jordbinding is to provide a safe path for electricity to flow to the ground in the event of a fault, such as a damaged wire coming into contact with a metal casing. This prevents the metal parts from becoming energized and posing a shock hazard to anyone who touches them.

In a properly installed electrical system, a jord wire is run alongside the power conductors. This jord wire is connected to the earth at the main service panel and also to the metal casings of appliances, electrical boxes, and other conductive components. If a live wire accidentally touches a metal part, the jord connection creates a low-resistance path to the earth. This allows a large current to flow, which typically trips a circuit breaker or blows a fuse, thereby disconnecting the power supply and mitigating the risk of electric shock.

The effectiveness of jordbinding relies on a good connection to the earth. This is often achieved through a grounding electrode, such as a metal rod driven into the ground or a connection to a municipal water pipe. The resistance of the earth itself is a factor in how well the jording system works. Regular inspection and testing of jording systems are important to ensure their continued integrity and safety. Without proper jordbinding, electrical faults could lead to dangerous voltage on metal surfaces, potentially causing serious injury or death.