The metallic noncurrent-carrying parts of an electrical system are bonded to ensure what?

Bonding the metallic noncurrent-carrying parts of an electrical system is primarily aimed at ensuring proper operation of overcurrent devices in the event of a ground fault. When metallic parts are properly bonded, they form a low-resistance path for fault currents. This allows overcurrent protection devices, like circuit breakers or fuses, to detect the fault condition effectively and operate as intended. If a fault occurs and these parts are not adequately bonded, the fault current may not flow as expected, which could prevent the overcurrent devices from responding promptly, thus posing a safety hazard.

While minimizing energy losses, ensuring adequate current flow, and preventing voltage surges are important considerations in electrical systems, these aspects do not specifically address the safety and functionality provided by bonding during fault conditions. Proper bonding is essential for creating a reliable fault pathway to enhance safety and protect the overall integrity of the electrical installation.