What is the primary function of a bonding jumper in an electrical system?

The primary function of a bonding jumper in an electrical system is to connect equipment enclosures to the grounding electrode. This connection is essential for ensuring that any fault current that might occur due to a short circuit or malfunction has a safe path to the ground, thereby minimizing the risk of electric shock to personnel and damage to equipment.

By providing this bonding connection, bonding jumpers play a critical role in the overall safety of electrical installations. They help ensure that all metal enclosures and parts of the electrical system are at the same electrical potential, reducing the risk of voltage differences that could lead to hazardous situations.

Other choices, while related to electrical systems, do not adequately capture the specific function of a bonding jumper. For example, carrying current during normal operation pertains more to conductors rather than jumpers. Connecting grounding electrodes is generally handled by grounding conductors, and while reference points for circuit voltages are important, they aren't the primary function of bonding jumpers.