What type of fault could supplementary bonding mitigate?

Supplementary bonding is primarily used to mitigate the effects of earth faults, which occur when a fault creates an unintended connection between a live conductor and the earth or exposed conductive parts. In such cases, supplementary bonding connects the exposed metal parts of different installations or appliances to the same earthing system, helping to ensure that any potential difference between these parts is minimized. This reduces the risk of electric shock to individuals who might simultaneously touch two conductive surfaces at different potentials.

When an earth fault occurs, it can create a hazardous situation if protective measures are not in place, as it might lead to a person coming into contact with live parts. By providing an alternative current path to earth through supplementary bonding, it facilitates the operation of protective devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses. This ensures that they can quickly disconnect the supply to prevent potential electric shock or fire hazards.

In contrast, overload faults, short circuits, and open circuits involve different types of electrical failures, which are not specifically addressed through the application of supplementary bonding. Each of these scenarios is managed through other protective measures, such as proper circuit protection devices, load management, and ensuring the integrity of the circuit.