Earthing, Grounding and Bonding

Note

: Earthing and Grounding are two different terms for expressing the same concept.

Introduction
Earthing (British) or Grounding (American) in electrical wiring system is a
conductor that provides low impedance path to the earth (or ground)
to prevent hazardous voltages from appearing on equipment.
Earthing
Earthing is a reference for electrical source to EARTH
(for e.g. - a connection to a conducting rod driven into the EARTH
- a conducting metal that has direct contact with the EARTH)
Grounding
Grounding is to provide an effective RETURN path (NEUTRAL circuit)
from the loads to the power source in order to function properly.
Bonding
Bonding is to electrically interconnect ALL the non-current-carrying metal parts
(i.e. conducting parts that are NOT supposed to be carrying current during normal operations)
such as enclosures, cabinets, steel structure, etc.
to ensures that the connecting parts have the SAME electric potential.
(i.e. to ensures that NO potential differences exist between the connecting parts)
hence there will be NO ELECTRICITY (charges) build up.
Electricity
a form of energy DUE TO charged particles such as electrons or protons, either
statically as an accumulation of CHARGE
OR
dynamically as CURRENT

Aircraft Electrical Bonding

Purpose

to prevent static electricity build-up and dangerous static discharges which can :
- disrupt communication and navigation devices.
- be a hazard during aircraft refuelling and de fuelling (static discharge)
- provides lightning strike protection by
allowing current to PASS THROUGH the airframe with minimum arcing.
Additional

Aircraft is BONDED to the fuel truck or tanker (bowser)/ LOX cart when they are being serviced to
prevent static discharge and a possible explosion.
Aircraft Earthing/ Grounding
Ground or earthing in electrical systems of aircraft when it is not connected to the ground.
The aircraft metal structure is connected to the :
- negative side of the battery (DC) and
- ground side of the AC generator.
Any appliances or equipments such as radio, light bulb, etc. has it's ground tied to the aircraft
structures.