Bathroom. An area including a basin with one or more of the following: a toilet, a tub, or
a shower.
Bonded (Bonding). Connected to establish electrical continuity and conductivity.
The purpose of bonding is to establish an effective path for fault current that, in turn,
facilitates the operation of the overcurrent protective device. This is explained in
250.4(A)(3) and (4) and 250.4(B)(3) and (4). Specific bonding requirements are found in
Part V of Article 250 and in other sections of the Code as referenced in 250.3.
Bonding Jumper. A reliable conductor to ensure the required electrical conductivity
between metal parts required to be electrically connected.
Both concentric- and eccentric -type knockouts can impair the electrical conductivity
between metal parts and may actually introduce unnecessary impedance into the
grounding path. Installing bonding jumper(s) is one method often used between metal
raceways and metal parts to ensure electrical conductivity. Bonding jumpers may be
found at service equipment [250.92(B)], bonding for over 250 volts (250.97), and
expansion fittings in metal raceways (250.98). Exhibit 100.3 shows the difference
between concentric- and eccentric-type knockouts. Exhibit 100.3 also illustrates one
method of applying bonding jumpers at these types of knockouts.
Exhibit 100.3 Bonding jumpers installed around concentric or eccentric knockouts.
Bonding Jumper, Equipment. The connection between two or more portions of the
equipment grounding conductor.
The use of equipment bonding jumpers ensures that the electrical continuity of an
effective ground -fault current path is not compromised by an interruption in mechanical
continuity, as is the case with metal conduits entering an open-bottom switchboard, or an
interruption of electrical continuity resulting from loosely joined metal raceways, as is
inherent to an expansion fitting intended to allow for movement in a metal conduit
system. Equipment bonding jumpers are used to connect the grounding terminal of a
receptacle to a metal box that in turn is grounded via an equipment grounding conductor
in the form of a metal raceway system.
Bonding Jumper, Main. The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the
equipment grounding conductor at the service.
Exhibit 100.5 shows a main bonding jumper used to provide the connection between the
grounded service conductor and the equipment grounding conductor at the service.
Bonding jumpers may be located throughout the electrical system, but a main bonding
jumper is located only at the service. Main bonding jumper requirements are found in
250.28.
Exhibit 100.5 A main bonding jumper installed at the service between the grounded
service conductor and the equipment grounding conductor.
Branch Circuit. The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting
the circuit and the outlet(s).
Exhibit 100.6 shows the difference between branch circuits and feeders. Conductors
between the overcurrent devices in the panelboards and the duplex receptacles are
branch-circuit conductors. Conductors between the service equipment or source of
separately derived systems and the panelboards are feeders.
Exhibit 100.6 Feeder (circuits) and branch circuits .
Branch Circuit, Appliance. A branch circuit that supplies energy to one or more outlets
to which appliances are to be connected and that has no permanently connected
luminaires that are not a part of an appliance.
Two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits are required by 210.11(C)(1) for
dwelling units. Section 210.52(B)(1) requires that these circuits supply receptacle outlets
located in such rooms as the kitchen, pantry, and so on. These small-appliance branch
circuits are not permitted to supply other outlets or permanently connected luminaires.
(See 210.52 for exact details.)
Branch Circuit, General-Purpose. A branch circuit that supplies two or more
receptacles or outlets for lighting and appliances.