Grounding and bonding in Pine Bluff, AR

What it is

What grounding and bonding do

Grounding connects the electrical system to the earth through ground rods or other electrodes. Bonding connects metal parts, such as water pipes and gas lines, so they stay at the same voltage.

Together they give fault current and surges a safe path, help breakers trip and lower shock risk. Pine Bluff's spring and summer lightning makes a sound ground important.

• Missing, cut or corroded ground wires
• Loose bonding clamps on water or gas pipes
• Two-prong or "open ground" outlets
• Tingles from appliances or metal fixtures
• Electronics damaged after storms

Older homes

Grounding problems in older Pine Bluff houses

Many Pine Bluff houses were built before grounded outlets were standard. Later owners sometimes swapped two-prong outlets for three-prong ones without adding a ground, which hides the problem.

Metal water lines that once served as a ground are often replaced with plastic during plumbing repairs. That can cut the home's grounding path without anyone noticing.

A tester shows open grounds in a few minutes. The electrician then decides whether to add a ground wire, install GFCI protection, or rewire the circuit.