What is the function of a bonding jumper in electrical systems?

The function of a bonding jumper in electrical systems primarily deals with establishing a continuous electrical connection between different sections or segments of the equipment grounding conductor. Its purpose is to ensure that all exposed conductive parts of the electrical system maintain the same electrical potential, thereby reducing the risk of electrical shock and promoting safety. This is particularly important in systems with multiple grounding electrodes or when connecting equipment that could have different grounding paths.

A bonding jumper helps to create an uninterrupted grounding path, which is crucial for reliable operation of overcurrent protection devices, and ensuring that they function correctly in the event of a fault. This contributes to the overall effectiveness of the grounding system, which is designed to facilitate safe dissipation of fault currents.

The other options refer to functions or connections that do not align with the function of a bonding jumper. For instance, connections between circuit breakers, the main power supply and neutral conductor, and surge prevention do not encapsulate the bonding jumper's role in grounding and protecting electrical systems.