TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0

SCOPE

2.0

INTRODUCTION

3.0

GENERAL

4.0

DEFINITIONS

5.0

SINGLE-POINT GROUNDING

6.0

MASTER GROUND BAR (MGB)

7.0

CENTRAL OFFICE GROUND WINDOW BUSBAR (GWB)

8.0

ISOLATED GROUND ZONE (IGZ)

9.0

MAIN DISTRIBUTING FRAME (MDF)

10.0

GROUND CONDUCTOR SIZING, ROUTING AND TERMINATING

11.0

DESIGN CRITERIA

12.0

EARTH RESISTANCE AND BOND1 NG REQUIREMENTS

13.0

REFERENCES

14.0

APPENDIX A

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

1.0

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

SCOPE
This standard defines requirements for grounding and bonding of communication
facilities/equipments.

2.0

INTRODUCTION
2.1

GROUNDING
All telecommunications and electronic facilities are inherently related to earth by
capacitive coupling, accidental contact and intentional connection. Therefore ground
must be looked at from a total system view point, with various subsystems
comprising the total facility ground system. The facility ground system forms a
direct path of known low impedance between earth and the various power,
communications and other equipments that effectively extends in approximation of
ground reference through out the facility.
The facility ground system is composed of the following subsystems:
2.1.1

Earth Electrode Subsystem

Earth Electrode Subsystem consists of a network of earth electrode rods,
plates, mats, or grids and their interconnecting conductors. The extension into
the building are used as the principal ground point for connection to
equipment ground subsystems serving the facility.
Ground reference is established by electrodes in the earth at the site or
installation. The earth electrode subsystem includes the following:
a.

A system of buried driven rods interconnected with bare wire

that normally form a ring around the building or

b.

A metallic pipe system (i.e. water, gas, fuel, etc.) that has no
insulation joints or

c.

A ground plane of horizontal buried wires.

Objectives of Earth Electrode Subsystem:

TEST11102R0/AAG

1.

Provides a path to earth for the discharge of lightening strokes in a

manner that protects the structure, and the equipment inside.

2.

Restrict the step-in-touch potential gradient in areas accessible to

persons to a level below the hazardous threshold even under
lightening discharge or power fault conditions.

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

3.

2.1.2

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

Assist in the control of noise in signal and control circuits by

minimizing voltage differentials between signal reference subsystems
of separate facilities.

Lightening Protection Subsystem

Lightening Protection Subsystem provides a nondestructive path to ground
for lightening energy contacting or induced in facility structure. To
effectively protect a building, mast, tower or similar self-supporting object
from lightening damage. An air terminal will intercept the discharge to keep
it from penetrating the nonconductive outer coverings of the structure, and
prevent it from passing through devices likely to be damaged. A low
impedance path from the air terminal to earth must also be provided.
These requirements are met by either
a. An integral system of air terminals , roof conductors and down
conductors securely interconnected to provide the shortest path to
earth or
b. A separately mounted shielding system such as a metal mast or
wires (which acts as air terminals) and down conductors to the
earth electrode subsystem.

2.1.3

Fault Protection Subsystem

Fault Protection Subsystem ensures that personnel are protected from shock
hazard and equipment is protected from damage or destruction resulting from
faults that may develop in the electrical system. It includes deliberately the
engineered grounding conductors (green wires) which are provided
throughout the power distribution system to afford electrical paths of
sufficient capacity so that protective devised such as fuses and circuit
breakers installed in the phased or in the hot leads can operate promptly. If at
all possible, the equipment fault protection conductors should be physically
separate from signal reference grounds (neutral wires) except at the earth
electrode subsystem. The equipment fault protection subsystem provides
grounding of conduits for signal conductors and all other structural metallic
elements as well as the cabinets and racks for equipment.

2.1.4

Signal Reference Subsystem (Neutral)

Signal Reference Subsystem (Neutral) establishes a common reference for
equipments, thereby also minimizing voltage differences between
equipments. This in turn reduces current flow between equipments and also
minimizes or eliminates noise voltages on signal paths or circuits. Within a
piece of equipment, the signal reference subsystem may be a bus bar or
conductor that service as reference for some or all of the signal circuits in the
equipment. Between equipments, the signal reference subsystem will be
network consisting of a number of interconnected conductors. Whether

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

serving a collection of circuits within an equipment or serving several

equipments within a facility, the signal reference network will in the vast
majority of cases be a multiple point/equipotential plane but could also, in
some cases, be a single point depending on the equipment design, the facility
and the frequency involved.
3.0

GENERAL
3.1

Design and installation of grounding and bonding to cover electrical protection

recommended for electronic analog and digital central offices.

3.2

The grounding and bonding shall protect personnel and equipment against harmful
voltages, and this shall be applied to all levels of lightning and faults currents.

3.3

Single-point ground system to isolate the electronic switching equipment from all
elements of the total central office grounding systems except at a single-point and to
minimize the flow of potentially damaging currents.

3.4

Underground bonding/interconnection shall be bare conductors not smaller than 120

mm2 (#4/0 AWG). On perimeter (ring), these electrodes shall be 600 mm to 1 m (2 ft
to 3 ft ) from the structure. In corrosive areas (70 ohm-meter or less), tinned copper
stranded conductors shall be used.

3.5

The bare conductor(s) connected to the grounding rod(s) shall be buried not less than
460 mn (18 in.) below grade of the completed site.

3.6

Design and installation of grounding and bonding requiretnents for transmission of

voice circuits, multiplex basebands, data, etc. shall not be degraded (e.g. as by hum
and or impulse noise) at the facility.

3.7

For communication, towers shall be provided with outdoor, dedicated grounding

systems. Such voltages should be equalized by bonding the dedicated grounding
system to the central office ground field at a point outside the building for personnel
safety and equipment protection.

3.8

Some central office equipment manufacturers may request grounding systems

exceeding those recomaendad herein. These might include a rigid, low maximum
resistance requirement for the central office.

3.9

This discussion of central office grounding systems is essentially based on resistance

since this is a primary parameter that is readily understood. However, the essential
factor in building and switching system protection is the grounding system
impedance, especially the reactance component, of the grounding conductors. The
general guidelines presented in this practice are based on providing a system having
a relatively low overall impedance to the flow of lightning and power fault currents.

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

4.0

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

DEFINITIONS
4.1

Buildiny Structural Ground:

A ground bond connected to structural steel and/or reinforcing steel rods contained
within the building walls, roofs, floors, footings or foundations.

4.2

Cable Entrance Ground Bar (CEGB):

A copper ground bar provided for the purpose of terminating incoming telephone
cable shields on a common connection point. The bar is normally located close to the
entrance location. (Cable Vault Ground Bar).

4.3

Central Office Ground Field (COGF):

A series of interconnected ground rods, buried perimeter cable or a metallic well
casing for provision of a low resistance path to earth ground. (Central Office Ground
Grid).

4.4

Collocated Switchiny System:

Two or more separate switching systems, at a single location.

4.5

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Protection:

Protection required to minimize electronic component damage re1ated to static
voltage discharges. Static charges are typically generated by moving personnel or
moving air in a work area where relative humidity is low.

4.6

Fuse Link:
A length of fine gauge wire in series with a larger gauge wire, for the purpose of
"fusing" open during a current-surge condition. This element normally provides
protection from currents which could otherwise heat conductors and start fires.

4.7

Green Wire Ground (GWG):

A normally noncurrent carrying conductor provided for the protection of personnel
and equipment. The green color code distinguishes the lead from the current carrying
grounded conductors (neutrals) which are natural, gray or white. (Equipment
Grounding Conductor)

4.8

Ground Loop:
Ground loops exist when there is more than one electric a path from a point in a
circuit to a reference ground connection. Such parallel paths to ground are normally
not a problem if associated with the nonsensitive circuitry located outside the IGZ.
Ground loops are undesirable for equipment located inside the IGZ.

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4.9

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

Ground Uindow Bar (GWB):

A copper ground bar provided for the common connection of all equipment located
inside the Isolated Ground Zone (IGZ) , see Section 4.7 (Ground Window Ground
Bar, Main Ground Bar, Ground Window Splice Plate).

4.10

Insulating Joints:
Nonconducting inserts provided at specified points in metal framework of equipment
located inside the IGZ. These are provided for the purpose of insulating the IGZ
equipment from outside ground connections.

4.11

Intermediate Ground Bar (IGB):

A copper ground bar, insulated from its support used as a distributing point for a
ground wire from the Master Ground Bar (MGB) (see Section 4.9) to be connected
to several racks or frames of equipment, usually in the non-IGZ area, but not to
include battery (+) from the main power board.

4.12

Isolated Ground Zone (IGZ):

A dedicated area within an office building where in all equipment is electrically
insulated from all external grounds except through a sing1 ground connection
between the GWB and the MGB. The isolated area should preferably extend a
minimum of 1.8 m (6 ft). The isolated area should preferably extend a minimum of
1.8 m (6 ft) on all sides from the equipment frames and framework and where
practical be separated from other equipment by permanent walls. The IGZ will
normally house sensitive electronic components. (Isolated Area)

4.13

Main Distributing Frame (MDF):

A distributing frame where outside plant cables are terminated on vertical protection
assemblies. Cable pairs are also cross-connected on this frame to CO line equipment
terminated on hori zontal blocks.

4.14

Master Ground Bar (MGB):

A copper yround bar used as single point connection for surge producers, surge
absorbers, non-IGZ equipment yrounds, and IGZ equipment grounds. The MGB is
normally noncurrent carryi ng and isolated from the building/structural ground.

4.15

MDF Ground Bar (MDFB):

A copper ground bar typically provided at the bottom of the MDF used as the
connection point for tip cable shields and MDF protector assemblies. The MDFB
may be used as an MGB in small offices. (Entrance Cable Protector Bar)

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

4.16

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

MDF Protector Assembly:

An assembly consisting of a protector module and a connector module.

4.17

Metallic Water System:

A public or private water system that includes an outdoor section or buried metallic
water pipe at least 3m (10 ft) in length and owned by the Company.

4.18

Multiground Neutral (MGN):

A power distribution system which provides a grounded conductor having multiple
direct connect ions to earth ground. In this system, at least four ( 4 ) grounds must be
provided i n each 1.6 km of line, not including grounds at individual services. This
mu1tiple grounding arrangement provides a very low impedance path to earth
ground for the purpose of absorbing lightning and switching surges. It also provides
a return path for residual (unbalanced) currents resulting from less than perfect
balance on associated three-phase power distributionsystems.

4.19

Personnel Discharge Plates:

Plates provided in equipment areas containing voltage-sensitive electronic
equipment. These plates are connected to ground and are used to discharge body
voltages to ground rather than through accidental contact with sensitive electronic
components.

4.20

Single Point Grounding:

A grounding system utilizing a single point, usually the MGB, to provide a zero
reference potential to ground for an entire office switching system. While the voltage
at this connection point may rise above zero volts-to-earth-ground under fault
conditions, the entire switching system will also rise at the same rate to the same
voltage. This helps minimize any circulating currents between switching components
during a condition of 1ightning or power surge.

4.21

Surge Absorbers (A):

Surge absorbing paths with a low resistance connection to remote earth ground. A
grounding element which has a low resistance path to earth ground is considered a
primary surge absorber.
There are only three (3) primary surge absorbers:
a.
b.
c.

TEST11102R0/AAG

The central office ground field.

The power system multi-ground neutral (MGN).
A metallic water system.

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4.22

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

Surge Producers (P):

connections to metallic sources of lightning and or power surges. For example;
radio/microwave towers, telephone cable shields, telephone cable pairs and power
system conductors.

4.23

Bonding:
Bonding refers to the process by which a low impedance path for the flow of an
electric current is established between two metallic objects.
Other types of bonding which involve simply the physical attachment of one
substance or object to another through various mechnical or chemical means are not
treated.

4.24

Central Office:
can be classified as these facilities where the communication room is manned on a
daily basis.

4.25

Remote Terminal:
include these sites such as power plants, substations, bid-stations and repeater sites
where communication space is not normally manned.

5.0

SINGLE-POINT GROUNDING
5.1

Single-point grounding is based on several related principles. A need to control the

high voltage differences which are produced between the ends of single conductors
such as copper wires and busbars by fast rising electrical surges.

5.2

The surge potentials need to be equalized through controlled bonding of central

office . The following ground elements listed herein:
a)
b)
c)
d)

5.3

Surge-Producers (P).
Surge-Absorbers (A).
Non-IGZ Equipment Grounds (N).
IGZ Equipment Grounds (I).

Single-point grounding is used to reduce voltage differences and control surge

currents. For this kind of grounding system, include the following:
5.3.1

Master Ground Bar (MGB):

Connections group to confine lightning and power surge activity. With
respect to earth ground, for the entire central office this is the point for
establishing a common reference plane.

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5.3.2

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

Ground Window Bar (GWB):

For establishing of a single local reference point for grounding a sensitive
electronic equipment within IGZ. The MGB provides a single-point
termination and ground reference to which the GWB and associated
electronic equipment are bonded.

6.0

5.3.3

An isolated Ground Zone (IGZ) surrounding the electronic switch and other
sensitive electronic equipment. The IGZ will consistently have the reference
to ground as the GAB.

5.3.4

A high voltage rise can occur between the point of strike and point(s) of
dissipation under momentary large surge conditions, such as those resulting
from direct or indirect lightning strikes to cable or other outside plant
connected to the MGB. The MGB bonding enable high current surges to be
concentrated and dissipated through the P and A sections of the bar (see
Figures 1 and 7). This maintains the lowest possible potential at the point of
MGB-GWB connection. The connection sequence of P-A-N-I as shown in
Figure 7 is very important to the overall protection effectiveness.

5.3.5

All equipment located within the IGZ electrically floats at essentially the
same potential as the GWB when the singl-point grounding concept is used.
When all switch modules are operating at the same potential , no damaging
voltages across sensitive components and surge currents are eliminated.

MASTER GROUND BAR (MGB)

6.1

The MGB is the hub of the basic central office grounding system used as a common
point of connection for the P-surge producers and A-surge absorbers, as well as the
equipment grounds for both the N-non isolated and I-isolated equipment areas. The
MGB is a copper bar insulated from its support and may be either on a wall near the
MDF, or on the cable vault wall. In small offices, it may be located on the MDF. To
identify each various connections to the MGB, it shall be tagged or stencilled.

6.2

Surge Producers (P section of MGB):

The MGB is the preferred connection point for surge producers.

6.3

Cable Entrance Ground Bar (CEGB):

Cable shields should be bonded directly to a CEGB in offices where a cable vault
has been provided. The CEGB is connected by the most direct route to the MGB.
The CEGB is a copper bar insulated from its support.

6.4

MDF Ground Bar (MDFB):

The main frame protectors blocks should be bonded directly to the MDFB. This
ground bar is also the bonding point for terminating the MDF end of tip cable shields
to ground. The MDFB may be used as the MGB in very small offices where

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installation of a wall-mounted MGB is impractical with this application, the bar

should be insulated from its support and have sufficient length to provide the
connection sequence (see Figure 7). It is important, that the integrity of all sections
of the bar are preserved for the life of the ground bar arrangement. The MDFB may
be insulated from its support.
6.5

Radio and Microwave Equipment Grounds:

Connect all indoor cabinets which are part of these system(s) directly to the MGB.
No connections should be made to the GWB or other central office ironwork. Where
the MDFB is used as the MGB, these equipment grounds shall be connected to the P
section of the bar. Radio/Microwave towers are provided with outdoor, dedicated
grounding systems. Surge voltages should be equalized by the dedicated grounding
system to the central office ground field at a point outside the building for personnel
safety and equipment protection.

6.6

Standby Power Plant Framework Ground:

A connection should be provided between the standby power plant framework and
the MGB to equalize framework voltages for safety reasons. When the standby
power plant is located in a separate building from the electronic equipment on earth,
electrode shall be installed and connected to the standby power plant framework.

6.7

Surge Absorbers (a section of MGB):

The MGB is also the preferred connection point f o r the three (3) primary surge
absorbers:
a)
b)
c)

Power System Mu1 tigrounded Neutral

Central Office Ground Field
M e t a l l i c Water System

Bonding of the power neutral and water pipe, on the MGB conform the requirements
of National Electrical Code for separately bonding the commercia1 power service.
6.8

Multiyground Neutral (MGN):

The MGN with its multiple connections to earth throughout the power system
normally has a low resistance to earth ground. Because of this low resistance, it may
be the most important ground connected to the MGB. The low resistance to earth
ground makes it an excellent surge absorber. The MGN may occasionally become
amomentary surge producer due to nearby lightning strikes or power system
transients. The ground conductor between the MGN and the MGB should be the
same size or larger than the commercial MGN service entrance conductor to the
building.
Non-MGN power system (e.g. delta or unigrounded wye system) do not qualify as
primary surge absorbers, therefore must be excluded from the calcul ations of ground

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resistance. A bond still required between the local power ground electrode and the
MGB.
6.9

Central Uffice Ground Field:

The outdoor portion of the ground conductors connecting the central office ground
field to the MGB should be buried a minimum 0.76 m (2.5 ft) below finished soil
grade and enter the building through a nonmetallic conduit. The conductor should be
placed in a straight line with no splices to reduce the impedance to fast rising surges.
When lightning rods and/or radio/microwave towers are provided, these shoul d be
connected to the central office ground field outside the building as described below.
6.9.1

Lightning Rod Ground:

Lightning rod systems are grounded via a separate dedicated ground field. A
bond should be provided between the central office and lightning rod ground
fields, to minimize in ductive noise coup1ing, reduce the chance of flashover,
and provide protection for personnel and equipment. The connection point
between the two ground fields should be accessible to permit temporary
disconnection for earth resistance measurements. The preferred location for
this connection is where the conductor between the central office ground
field and the MGB is connected to the ground field. An easily accessible,
permanent handhole closure is recommended for this connection. The
conductors should follow the most direct route with a minimum of bends. See
Figures 1 and 8.

6.9.2

Radio/Microwave Tower Ground:

A bond should be provided between the central office ground field and the
radio/microwave tower ground for the same reasons discussed above. All
provisions for this grounding should be identical to those described in
Section 6.9.1. Where both lightning rod and tower ground systems exist, both
systems may be connected to the central office ground field in the same
handhole closure.

6.9.3

Central Office Metallic Water System:

It is important to bond to the central office metallic water system, where one
exists, to comply with National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements. This
also provides an additional low resistance connection to earth ground. When
no water system is present in the building, this ground connection may be
omitted. If the central office water system entrance piping includes at least 3
m (10 ft) of buried metallic pipe in direct contact with earth from either a
drilled well or public water system, it will qualify as a metallic water system.
The water system metallic entrance pipe must also be owned and controlled
by the Company if used as a primary surge absorber. Ground wire
connections should be made t o the main entrance pipe of the water system.
When there is a water meter or insulating joint in the pipe, a bypass bonding
wire should be installed to insure electrical continuity. Permission from the

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owner of the water system is required when the pipe on the street side of the
meter is not owned by the Company or where there is an insulated coup1 ing
at the meter. The electrical service will be bonded to the water piping as
shown on Figure 1.
6.9.4

Building Structural Ground:

A connection should be provided to the building structural ground for earth
grounding and potential equalizing safety reasons. This ground is not
considered to be a primary surge absorber. A low resistance path to ground is
provided by reinforced concrete that is indirect contact with bare earth, such
as building footings. Structural steel used in some buildings can have voltage
differences from equipment frames installed in the building. This occurs
when equipment frames rise in voltage due to current surges through the
MGB or when lightning strikes the structure. During building construction,
rebars should be lashed to steel column anchor bolts at each floor roof level.
Connection to the steel columns should be made between the nearest
accessible point and the MGB. Ground wire connections should be made
directly to the rebar during construction of new reinforced concrete buildings
containing no steel columns.

6.9.5

Non-IGZ Grounds (N Section o f MGB):

The N section is primarily a common voltage reference point to which all
non-IGZ equipment frames are connected. The single-point grounding
system is designed to confine a ll lightning and surge currents to the P and A
sections of the MGB. The connections to the N section prevent voltage
differences between equipment racks, etc. in the non-IGZ area. Surge
currents and shock hazards for personnel in the building are thereby
effectively minimized. All equipment frames, ironwork, and other exposed
metallic surfaces that could become energized are bonded to the MGB at this
point. The N section is also the connection for equalizing voltages on the
positive (t) central office power bus. This connection between the positive (t)
battery terminal and the MGB is not normally a dc power current carrying
conductor and is provided only for equalizing voltage differences.

6.10

IGZ Grounds ( I Section o f MGB):

The I section of the MGB normally should have the least voltage variation of any
section along this ground bar. All ground connections to the GWBs are made in this
section.

6.11

Ground Kesi stance Objective:

Reasonable effort to meet the objective ground resistance is an important factor in
implementing a single-point grounding system. Installation of a perimeter ground
around and outside the building foundation perimeter is recommended. Other types
of ground fields are acceptable where the ground resistance objective can be met (see
Section 6.13).

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6.12

The combined central office ground resistance from the three primary surge
absorbers, as defined in Section 5.7, should be 5 ohms or less when measured at the
MGB subject to the limitations of Section 5.13 where all three primary surge
absorbers are provided at a central office, the 5 ohms objective should be met when
any two of the grounds are connected. For central office buildings where only two
surge absorbers are available, the objective for the central office ground field is 5
ohms or less.

6.13

Establishment of a low resistance ground field can be difficult at the location of

some rural central office buildings. The actual measured resistance to remote earth of
the ground field provides a guide for determining if it is practical to attempt
achieving the 5 ohms objective resistance. Where the measured value of the ground
field alone is between 5 and 25 ohms, further efforts to reduce the resistance is not
recommended. The work required to reduce the resistance an additional 1 or 2 ohms
could be very expensive. When the actual measured resistance exceeds 25 ohms,
additional effort should be made to reduce the resistance. Earth resistivity
measurements should be completed at various depths and locations around the
building before initiating any reduction effort. Calculation of the approximate
anticipated resistance to earth based on the recorded results of the measurements
should be completed for various ground configuration and electrode lengths. The
results of these calculations will indicate the probability of attaining the objective
ground resistance.
The following are some techniques which may reduce the central office ground field
resistance:
a)
b)
c)
d)

6.14

7.0

Attach t o the building rebar ground.

Drive extended or section ground rods to a depth of up to 9.75m (32 ft).
Establish a second ground field.
Install one or more 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in.) well casings. These should
extend below the water table level .

The resistance of the central office ground field should be determined prior to
selecting the specific equipment for installation. The manufacturers of equipment
should be advised when the 5 ohms central office ground field objective cannot be
achieved by established methods. Where extraordinary measures must be taken to
protect the equipment warranty, the added costs should be considered as described in
Section 2.8.

CENTRAL OFFICE GROUND WINDOW BUSBAK (GWB)

7.1

All equipment grounds that originate inside the IGZ are terminated on the GWB
which should preferably be physically located inside the IGZ and insulated from its
support. The use of a GWB which is provided by the equipment manufacturer as an
integral part of the switching equipment is acceptable. Normally, those ground
conductors originating inside the IGZ that are terminated on the GWB will be placed
by the personnel installing the switching equipment .

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7.2

A separate IGZ shall be established with its own GWB where additional electronic or
digital switching equipment is located in a remote area of the same floor or on
another floor of the building.

7.3

Connect each GWB to the MGB with a conductor following the most direct route.
This grounding conductor shall be 70 mm2 (2/0-gauge) or coarser copper with a
resistance of less than 0.005 ohms (Reference Section 9.0). The use of parallel
conductors for redundancy is acceptable as required by the manufacturer.

7.4

The conductors terminating on the GWB should be suitably identified as described in

Section 9.3.

7.5

The frame grounds of ONLY that switching equipment and associated electrical
equipment located inside the IGZ should be connected to the GWB as may be
required by the equipment manufacturer. This includes, but is not limited to, those
items described in the following paragraphs:
7.5.1 All metal framework of the switching systems (e.g., frames; cabinets, bays,
etc.) should be connected to the GWB. The manufacturer's recommendations
for establishing these connections shall befollowed.
7.5.2 The cable racks, static control ground mats, discharge plates, transmission
equipment, and protective grounds of any other IGZ equipment that obtains
power from the main power plant should also be connected to the GWB. Any
special recommendations from the equipment manufacturer should be
complied with.
7.5.3

The manufacturer's instructions on isolation of the battery charger framework

ground from the internal positive (+) chassis connection should be followed.

7.5.4

The ac conductors including the protective ground conductors serving all

127Vac electrical convenience receptacles and all direct wire peripheral
equipment, located in the IGZ, should be sized in accordance with normal
"green wire" criteria. Each termination point should be tagged to indicate the
green wire is a GWB isolated ground wire. The manufacturer's
recommendation for the metallic racks within the IGZ will determine how the
green wire is handled in the IGZ. The metallic racks may be insulated from
the concrete floors and reinforcing steel or connected to it. Routing of the ac
conduit and protective green wire ground in the manner described below
insures compliance with National Electrical Code requirements.

7.5.5

Hacks Insulated from the Building: The conduit carrying 127 Vac conductors
into the IGZ should be routed to a junction box located adjacent to the GWB.
The green wire should be solidl y connected t o the junction box and a wire
connect ion established between the junction box and the GUB. Use of
metallic or nonmetallic conduit for extending and bonding the ac conductors
into the IGZ is at the option of the manufacturer .Where metallic conduit is
used, care should be taken during installation to assure it is insulated from
foreign grounds (building structural steel and reinforced concrete members)

TEST11102R0/AAG

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beyond the GWB. There is no need to install isolated orange convenience

receptacles with this configuration since everything beyond the GUB in the
IGZ is at GWB ground potential. Isolted ac ground convenience receptacles
may be installed as required by the manufacturer .
7.5.6

Racks not Insulated from the Building:

The conduit carrying 127 Vac conductors into the IGZ should be routed
directly to the metallic racks. Since these racks are at the same ground
potential as the conduit and green wire by being connected to the reinforced
concrete floor, there shall be no connection t o the GWB. Isolated ac ground
convenience receptacles may be installed as requi red by the manufacturer.
Equipment in the IGZ should be isolated from the metallic racks which are
not isolated from the building grounds.

8.0

7.5.7

Where overhead lighting fixtures located in the IGB are an integral part of or
are in electrical contact with the equipment frame(s), the associated green
protective ground wires should be connected to the GWB isolated ground
wire system. For convenience, they may also be connected to the GWB
where the connections above do not exist. All fixtures connected to the GWB
system need to be isolated from the building structural steel and reinforced
concrete members. Green wires associated with lighting fixtures having no
electrical contact with the equipment frames may be connected in the
conventional way to the ac distribution panel ground.

7.5.8

The protective grounds for teletypewriters, cathode ray tube consoles, test
equipment and other ac powered devices located or used within the IGZ area
are normally provided by the green wire leads in the attached power cords.
The green wire pins should not be removed from the 3-wire power cords of
such equipment and 2-wire adapters should not be used.

7.5.9

Every precaution should be taken to insure the integrity of the IGZ. No

foreign grounds should be permitted, to come into contact with any
equipment with in the IGZ except through the GWB, except as indicated by
the equipment manufacturer.

ISOLATED GROUND ZONE (IGZ)

8.1

An isolated ground zone is defined in Section 4.12. If practical , permanent markers

should be placed on the floor to identify the IGZ boundaries. Paint or tape of
distinctive color, such as orange, should be used.

8.2

Precautions should be taken to insure that no permanent or temporary ground

connections are permitted to cross the IGZ boundary except as defined in Section
6.5.6.

8.3

The metal framework, associated with digital electronic central office equipment and
associated peripheral equipment, should be installed and bonded in accordance with

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the manufacturer's requirements. Some manufacturers require the frames be isolated

from the floor while others permit anchoring directly to the floor.
9.0

MAIN DISTRIBUTING FRAME (MDF)

9.1

9.2

Special grounding considerations are required at the MDF to control incoming

surges and provide protection for personnel. The design should provide for this with
any of the existing or new MDF protectors that are available. The MDF is treated as
being outside of the IGZ in all cases.
9.1.1

MDF protector assemblies should be mounted directly on the vertical frame

ironwork. The assemblies mounted on each vertical should be interconnected
with a 16 mm-2 (#6) copper conductor to provide a low resistance path for
surge currents. Each vertical group of protector assemblies should be
connected to the MDFB with a 16 mm2 (#6) copper conductor. Alternate
means of connection to the MDFB are acceptable which do not rely on the
frame ironwork for conducting surge currents to the ground.

9.1.2

The MDFB should be insulated from the ironwork in all cases where it is
used as a MGB (Section 6.4). The MDFB may be insulated from its support
as required by the CO manufacturer.

9.1.3

Protective "ground connections" should be provided between the MDFB and

frame ironwork for personnel protection regardless of the type protector
assemblies used. The protective ground leads should be 2.5 mm2 (14-gauge)
and less than 30 cm (12 in.) in length. Paint must be thoroughly removed at
points of connections to the ironwork. One connection should be provided for
every 10 m (35 ft) of frame length.

9.1.4

Where the MDFB is used as the MGB in very small offices (Section 5.4), the
protective "ground connections" (Section 9.1.3) should be connected in the N
section of the bar. The MDF protector ground should be connected to the P
section o f the bar.

Transmission Equipment Termination and Protection:

Digital carrier equipment and sensitive electronic pair gain systems should normally
be located inside the IGZ. Some carrier equipment has internal gas tubes for
bypassing voltage surges to ground. Equipment of this type should be located outside
the IGZ. Analog subscriber and station carrier equipment, voice frequency repeaters
and loop extenders are normally located outside the IGZ. All equipment frames
located outside the IGZ should be grounded through connections at the N section of
the MGB. The equipment located inside the IGZ should be grounded to the GWB.
9.2.1

TEST11102R0/AAG

Protectors for all carrier equipment are normally located on the MDF. An
exception may be made to this rule. The protectors for some toll carrier
entrance cables are mounted in the carrier bays located in a non-IGZ area.

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

9.3

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

9.2.2

The termination of analog and digital type toll carrier system on the same
protector assembly is not advisable. This practice minimizes coupling that
can produce analog carrier circuit noise.

9.2.3

Shields of intra-office cable connecting the MDF to carrier equipment bays

should be open at the MDF end and grounded at one point to the MGB or
GWB. This grounding arrangement provides electrostatic shielding and
maintains GWB integrity.

9.2.4

Separation of the transmit and receive sides of the cable for T-carrier systems
should be maintained. This may be accomplished by using compartmental
separation or separate transmit and receive cables all the way to the MDF
protector assembly. Between that point and the carrier equipment, the
separation is usually maintained through the use of shielded jumpers,
separate shielded transmit and receive cables, or multipair cables within
dividually shielded pairs.

Entrance and Tip Cables:

The most important characteristics of tip cables, from a protection standpoint, are
resistance to flammability and ease of termination. They should also be chemically
compatible (i.e. should not chemically react) with the outside plant cables. Use either
filled or non filled 0.2 mm2 (X24 AWG) or smaller gauge polypropylene and
polyethylene insulated outside plant cables, on use a special 0.3 mm2 (122 AWG)
polyethylene insulated PVC cover conductor tip cable with a PVC outer, jacket
(ALVYINr) or equivalent in place of PVC insulated.

10.0

GROUND CONDUCTOR SIZING, ROUTING AND TERMINATING

10.1

The point of reference for sizing all protective ground conductors, except green wire
conductors and dc power conductors, is the MGB.To determine the appropriate
conductor size, first establish the distance between the two points of connection via
the desired route (i.e. between the MGB and CEGB). Next, refer to Figure 1 to
determine the resistance objective between the two points. Finally from Table A,
find the wire size with a maximum footage for the desired resistance objective equal
to or greater than the wire distance between th e two points. Use of Table A or
calculated resistance values are permissible in lieu of measurement. The general
guidelines in the following paragraphs are also recommended.
10.1.1 The finest recommended conductor size is 16 mm2 (6-gauge), except for the
2.5 mm2 (14-gauge) protective grounds at the MDF described in Section
10.1.3.
10.1.2 The conductor between the MGB and GWB should always be 70 mn2 (2/0
gauge) or coarser. The suggested size provided in this paragraph pertains to
protective ground conductors only-not to dc power conductors. The
maximum resistance of this conductor should be less than 0.005 ohms.

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10.1.3 The conductor between the MGB and the neutral ground bar in the ac service
entrance panel board shall always be 70 mm2 (2/0 gauge) or coarser. The
maximum resistance of this conductor should not exceed 0.005 ohms.
10.1.4 The maximum conductor resistance from the MGB to the initial point of
connection with all surge producers should not exceed 0.0l ohms.
10.1.5 The maximum conductor resistance from the MGB to the point of connection
with all surge absorbers should not exceed 0.01 ohms, except as described in
Section 9.1.3.
10.1.6 The maximum conductor resistance from the MGB to the point of connection
with all equipment grounds should not exceed 0.01 ohms.
10.1.7 Where an intermediate ground bar (IGB) or connection is provided, the 0.01
ohm objective should be divided on either side for the IGB or connection.
10.2

The planning and installation of the wiring is critical to the provision of an effective
grounding system. Care should be taken to minimize induction that may appear in
grounding system wiring. Recommended guidelines for installation of grounding
system conductors include:
10.2.1 Ground conductors should be insulated to permit integrity testing.
Conductors should also be free of splices. splices must be made, only
compression connectors exothermic welding should be used.
10.2.2 Ground conductors should be routed in a manner that will avoid sharp or
right angle bends. Routes should follow the most direct path with gradual
bends to minimize the inductive reactance that tend t o impede surge currents
and reduce the overall effectiveness of the grounding system.
10.2.3 Ground conductors, except the green wires and dc power conductors, should
not be routed closely parallel to other conductors in the office so as to
minimize induction of surges in to equipment wiring. These conductors
should not be routed through cable racks or troughs, or within confines of any
iron work.
10.2.4 The ground conductor should only be placed in nonmetallic conduit. If it
must be routed through metallic conduit, both ends of the conduit should be
bonded to the grounding conductor. Further ground conductors should not be
encircled with metal clamps. This is essential to eliminate the high inductive
reactance that will impede the flow of surge current along the conductor.
10.2.5 Wire-to-wire and wire-to-ground rod connections should be made only with
compression connectors or exothermic weld connections. Solder joints
should not be used for any central office system grounding connection.
10.2.6 Wire-to-bonding-bar (busbar) connections should be made with lugs that
have a compression connectors or exothermic weld connection. The lugs

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

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should have bolt-on provisions for the busbar connections using copper bolts
and nuts. Periodically, some of the busbar connections may be removed for
test purposes.
10.3

It is desirable that the following stencilling and tagging be provided for

simplification of maintenance and testing:
10.3.1 Permanent adhesive cable labels or suitable plastic tags should be provided
on ground wire leads at all busbars to identify the origin of each conductor.
10.3.2 The location for each ground conductor should be identified on each ground
bar by permanent adhesive label or stencilling.
10.3.3 The designated P, A, N and I segments of the MGB should be clearly
identified.
10.3.4 Permanent identification tags should be placed on lightning, CO and
radio/microwave ground leads at their accessible points of connection to the
central office ground field outside the CO building.

11.0

DESIGN CRITERIA
11.1

The groundinglbonding shall be standard design that meets or exceed the

requirements by SEC Communications Services.

11.2

For new facilities, the design criteria shall be used to retrofit the existing
communication facilities. Retrofit may be needed when performance is
unsatisfactory, for example, with respect to:

Impulse noise
Jitter
Crosstalk
Hum
False dialing, printouts, and traffic records.
Personnel electric shock hazards, fault protection.
Lightning effects (line surges)
Test equipment performance
Interference from strong fields (i.e. broadcast,. HF or MF fields)

11.3

Determination of need for retrofit of grounding shall be made by the SEC

Communications Services.

11.4

For central office, the design shall be in accordance with Figure 1.

11.5

For remote terminals, the design shall be in accordance with Figure 2.

11.6

For power system-power and equipment on adjacent floors and three floors, refer to
Figure #3 and Figure #4 respectively.

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11.7

12.0

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

For power system-separate power feed (common battery) on three floors and on two
floors, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6
respectively.

EARTH RESISTANCE AND BONDING REQUIREMENTS

12.1

Earth resistance for central office shall not exceed 3 ohms and for remote terminals
shall not exceed 5 ohms.

12.2

Bonding resistance for central office and remote terminals shall not exieed 0.2 ohms.

12.3

Bonding standard appl ies all elements and other communication grounding facilities
including:
a)

Building structure, roof, flooring metal pipes.

b)

Perimeter fences, security fences.

c)

Radio Tower

d)

AC power generation/distribution

e)

Fuel tanks

f)

Conduit

g)

Rack-Lines

h)

Waveguide and coaxial cable outer shield.

i)

Battery room grounds

j)

All grounding bars.

k)

All rods and interconnecting busses.

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APPENDIX "A"
VOLTAGE EFFECTS FROM RISING SURGE CURRENTS
1.0

2.0

General
1.1

This Appendix provides better understanding the voltage effects on grounding

conductors from self inductance in the presence of high surge currents with fast rise
times, and the basis for some of the general rules relating to routing of grounding
conductors in Central Office Buildings.

1.2

Every conductor has self inductance which provides an impedance to lightning and
other surges, a significant voltage difference will occur between the ends of a
grounding conductor during the period a surge current is flowing. This potential
difference should not appear across sensitive electronic equipment. Further points in
the overall grounding system, between which the potential can appear, should not be
located so personnel can touch both simultaneously.

SELF INDUCTANCE
2.1

The self inductance (Lg) of a solid, round, non-magnetic and straight ground wire in
air or plastic conduit may be approximated with:
Lg= 0.20[log (3937/d) 0.95]

Equation ( I )

where:
Lg

=
=
=

self inductance in microhenries (H)

wire length in m
wire diameter in mn

All grounding connections in a typical small rural central office can probably be
made using only 16 mn2 (# 6 AWG) [4 mn (0.162") diameter] and 70 m2 (#2/0 AW [
9.27 mm (0.3648") diameter] conductors. Lengths of 9.1m (30f t) might be required
from some connections. From equation (I), the self inductance for 9.1 rn (30 ft) of 16
mm2 (#6 AWG) wire is 14.91 H and with 70 mm2 (#2/0 AWG) is 13.4 H.
2.2

The self inductance (Lg) of a ground wire in steel conduit where ends of conduit are
not bonded to wire is given as:
Lg= 0.20[log (3937/d) 0.95 + 1200 log (d1/d2)]

Equation (II)

where :
1200
d1
d2

TEST11102R0/AAG

=
=
=

permeability of iron (estimated )

outside diameter (OD) of conduit in mm.
inside diameter (ID) of conduit in mn.

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

3. 0

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

2.2.1

The self induction of 9.1 m (30 ft) lengths of 16 mm2 (#6 AWG) and 70 mm2
(#2/0 AWG) wire encased in unibonded rigid steel conduit with an an OD of
33.4 mn (1.315") and ID of 26.6 mn (1.049") may now be determined from
equation(II). The self inductance of 16 mm2 (# 6 AWG) wire is 511.2 H
and 70 mm2 (# 2/0 AWG) is 509.7 H.

2.2.2

A grounding conductor 9.1 m (30 ft) long would not likely be placed in steel
conduit. A more common use of conduit is for carrying the conductor
through a wall via a 9.3 m (1 ft) length. A 0.3 m (1 ft) length of 16 mm2 (# 6
AW6) wire through a 0.3 m (1 ft) unbonded rigid steel conduit will have a
self inductance of 16.8 H and 70 mm2 (#2/0 AWG) will have 16.8 H. The self
inductance of 0.3m (1 ft) of wire in steel conduit is higher than for 9.1 m (30
ft) of bare wire in air.

VOLTAGE LEVEL FROM SELF INUUCTANCE

3.1

The calculation of the momentary voltage that will develop across a length of
conductor using the conductor self inductance is possible. This voltage is given by
the differential relationship:
e = L (di/dt)

Equation (III)

where:
e
L
di
dt
3.1.1

=
=
=
=

voltage
inductance (Henries)
change in current (amperes)
change in time (seconds )

Assuming a moderate surge of 2000 peak amperes with a rise of 10 microsecond

through the 9.1 m (30 ft) bare wire described in Section 3.1.1, from equation (III),
the voltage developed across the wire could be:
16 mm2 (#6 AWG)

3.1.2

2980 volts

70 mm2 (#2/0 AWG) =

2680 volts

If this wire is placed in unbonded 9.1 mm (30 ft) rigid conduit as described in
Section 2.2.1, the voltage devel oped would be:
16 mm2 (#6 AWG)

TEST11102R0/AAG

102 .240 volts

70 mm2 (#2/0 AWG) =

101.940 volts

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

3.1.3

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

Study of the example described in Section 3.2.2 where a 0.3 m (1 ft) length of
unbonded rigid steel conduit is used to pass the grounding conductor through a wall
is more practical from equation (III) the voltage developed across the 0.3 m (1 ft)
conductor length would be 3360 volts for either 16 mm2 (# 6 AWG) or 70 mm2 (#2/0
AWG) wire. The voltage developed across 0.3 m (1 ft) of wire 13% higher than 9.1m
(30 ft ) of bare 16 mm2 and 25% higher than for 9.1 m (30 ft) of70 mm2 (#2/0 AWG)
wire.

Table 02-01: Maximum Conductor Length to Meet the Grounding Conductor Resistance Objectives

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TC-1102-0100-00

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TC-1102-0200-00

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TC-1102-0300-00

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TC-1102-0400-00

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TC-1102-0500-00
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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

TC-1102-0600-00

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

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TC-1102-0700-00

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TC-1102-0800-00

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TC-1102-0900-00
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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

TC-1102-1000-00

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-T-111.02, Rev. 0

TC-1102-1100-00

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