What must be done to multiple grounding electrodes?

When dealing with multiple grounding electrodes, it is essential that they are bonded together to ensure a common ground potential throughout the grounding system. This bonding effectively reduces the resistance to ground and helps to create a reliable path for fault currents, improving the safety and effectiveness of the grounding system.

By bonding the electrodes, you minimize the risk of potential differences that could occur between them, which would be dangerous if someone were to touch two different points of the system. This is particularly important in preventing electrical shock hazards and ensuring that overcurrent protective devices operate correctly during fault conditions. The National Electrical Code and various local codes often outline the specific requirements for bonding grounding electrodes, reinforcing the importance of this practice in maintaining a safe electrical system.

Therefore, bonding together multiple grounding electrodes is a critical step in ensuring the integrity and safety of electrical installations.