What is the difference between grounding and bonding?

Answer 1

Grounding is a direct path (that is, a wire, usually green) from the electrical outlet or switch back to the service panel, which sends stray current back to the service panel and then to the power plant along with the normal alternating current. This gives stray current a means to return to earth (which is what all electricity wants to do). If this path were not available, stray current would remain static until a pathway showed up (like, your finger, which would result in a shock). So, grounding protects you from dangerous shocks.

Bonding is connecting any metal or electrically conductive material to a grounding wire. An electrical outlet is attached to a metal box. A grounding wire is connected to the outlet. Its purpose is to return stray current from any device plugged into the outlet--like a toaster--back to the service panel. Connecting the metal box that contains the outlet to the outlet's grounding wire also grounds the box, so touching the box doesn't give you a shock. The connection is made with a wire screwed to the box, then connected to the green wire grounding the switch or outlet.