What is the purpose of bonding jumpers in pool areas?

Bonding jumpers in pool areas serve a critical safety function by reducing shock hazards. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), bonding jumpers are used to connect various metal components of the pool, such as ladders, handrails, and the pool structure itself, to the electrical grounding system. This connection ensures that all metal parts are at the same electrical potential, which helps to prevent the risk of electrical shock to individuals who might come into contact with these metal surfaces while in or near the water.

When electrical equipment or wiring malfunctions and there is a fault, the electrical current can seek a path to ground through any nearby conductive materials. If these materials are not bonded properly, there could be a voltage difference between them, leading to potentially dangerous shock hazards. By using bonding jumpers to connect these metal parts, any stray voltage will be redirected to the ground, protecting individuals from electrical shocks. The bonding process creates a low-resistance path for fault current to flow safely to the ground, which significantly enhances safety in and around swimming pools.