How to Check the Electrical Bonding of Appliances Using an Ohmmeter

Large, electrically powered home appliances like your dryer or water heater are designed to prevent shock during operation. However, static electricity can still build up and discharge upon touch. To prevent this, some appliances are designed to bond to the ground or a discharge plate. You can test the electrical bonding of an appliance by using an ohmmeter.

Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect for any visible disconnections or damage to electrical wiring. Loose or exposed wires will inhibit any conduction, therefore resulting in a negative bond reading on your multimeter.
- 2
  Shut off power to your appliance by unplugging it.
- 3
  Locate the bonding cord or plate for your appliance. Ensure it is completely connected to the ground or bonding point. If you don’t have one, locate a clean, exposed metal part of your appliance.
- 4
  
  Use the screwdriver to discharge static electricity.
  
  Discharge any static electricity build up in your body by touching the screwdriver tip to an exposed metal piece.
- 5
  
  Use a multimeter if you don't have an ohmmeter.
  
  Set your multimeter or ohmmeter to the lowest ohms reading and turn it on.
- 6
  Connect the red and black leads to your meter in their respective connecting ports.
- 7
  Place the black lead onto the ground and the red lead onto the bonding wire or exposed metal piece.
- 8
  Look at your meter’s indicator to see if any ohms ratings are registering. A movement between .5 and 5 ohms indicates that an electrical current is flowing properly.

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