What is a common bonding method used in residential installations for water pipes?

The common bonding method used in residential installations for water pipes involves installing a bonding jumper to connect metallic water pipes to the ground. This method is crucial for ensuring electrical continuity and safety. By bonding the metal water pipes to the grounding system, it helps to minimize the risk of electric shock due to stray voltage or faults in electrical systems.

In residential settings, metal water piping is typically considered a part of the grounding system, and proper bonding facilitates a low-resistance path to ground. This is important for the overall safety of the electrical installation, as it helps to ensure that any unforeseen electrical fault will result in the tripping of circuit breakers or blowing of fuses, providing protection for both the electrical system and individuals in the home.

Other methods listed, such as installing a pipe sleeve, using insulating tape, and using dielectric unions, may have their applications in plumbing and electrical systems, but they do not serve the primary purpose of effective electrical bonding in the same way. For instance, pipe sleeves may be used for physical protection or insulation, while dielectric unions act to prevent galvanic corrosion but do not provide an electrical bond. Insulating tape is typically used for electrical insulation but does not contribute to grounding or bonding in a manner that would protect against electrical hazards.