How should the bonding and grounding of boxes be addressed in Article 314?

The proper approach to bonding and grounding boxes, as outlined in Article 314 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), emphasizes the importance of ensuring all metal boxes are grounded and bonded to the electrical system. This requirement is essential to enhance safety and reduce the risk of electrical shock and fire hazards.

Metal boxes can become energized due to a fault in the wiring or equipment, so bonding them ensures that any stray electrical current has a safe path back to the ground, minimizing the potential for electric shock. By grounding these boxes, any fault condition will trip circuit breakers or blow fuses, effectively cutting off the supply of electricity and protecting users from harm.

The code does not extend the same grounding and bonding requirements to non-metallic (plastic) boxes, as they do not conduct electricity, thus posing a different level of risk. Therefore, it is particularly crucial for metal boxes to be adequately grounded and bonded to ensure the safety of the electrical system and its users. This principle is a fundamental aspect of maintaining effective safety measures in electrical installations.