What can be inferred about a bonding resistance greater than 0.1 Ohms?

A bonding resistance greater than 0.1 Ohms might indicate a potential safety hazard because bonding systems are designed to create low-resistance paths to facilitate fault currents and prevent dangerous voltages on conductive structures. When the resistance exceeds this threshold, it suggests that the bonding is insufficient, potentially compromising safety by allowing higher voltages to exist across various points of a system, which could lead to electrical shock or equipment damage. Therefore, maintaining low bonding resistance is critical to ensure that any fault currents can be safely dissipated, thereby safeguarding both personnel and property.

The other options infer situations that do not align with the safety concerns associated with higher bonding resistance. For instance, stating it is optimal for safe operation or compliant with National Electrical Code (NEC) standards would not be accurate if the resistance is too high, as these standards typically advocate for lower resistance levels to ensure effective grounding and safety. Additionally, emphasizing efficient grounding would misrepresent the potential hazard posed when bonding resistance is greater than 0.1 Ohms, as it suggests the system may not function as intended under fault conditions.