Which principle provides the lineman with the greatest protection?

The principle that provides the lineman with the greatest protection is bonding. Bonding involves connecting various conductive elements to ensure that they have the same electrical potential, which helps mitigate the risk of electric shock and equipment damage. By bonding equipment and systems together, any fault current is directed safely to the ground, preventing dangerous voltage differences that could pose a risk to the lineman.

Grounding is also fundamental in providing safety, as it directs stray electrical currents into the earth, minimizing the potential for electric shock. While both isolation and induction are safety concepts, they do not offer the same level of direct protection against electric shock as bonding does by reducing the risk of voltage differentials that can result from faults in the electrical system. Therefore, bonding stands out as the principle that enhances safety most effectively for linemen working with electrical equipment.