GROUNDING GUIDELINE

for Cellular Radio Installations

68P81150E62

COMPUTER SOFTWARE COPYRIGHTS The Motorola products described in this instruction manual may include copyrighted Motorola computer programs stored in semiconductor memories or other media. Laws in the United States and other countries preserve for Motorola certain exclusive rights for copyrighted computer programs, including the exclusive right to copy or reproduce in any form the copyrighted computer program. Accordingly, any copyrighted Motorola computer programs contained in the Motorola products described in this instruction manual may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of Motorola. Furthermore, the purchase of Motorola products shall not be deemed to grant either directly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license under the copyrights, patents or patent applications of Motorola, except for the normal nonexclusive, royalty free license to use that arises by operation of law in the sale of a product. 68P81050E85O

USAGE AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS The software described in this document is the property of Motorola, Inc. It is furnished under a license agreement and may be used and/or disclosed only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Software and documentation are copyrighted materials. Making unauthorized copies is prohibited by law. No part of the software or documentation may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of Motorola, Inc.

While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of this document, Motorola, Inc. assumes no liability resulting from any omissions in this document, or from use of the information obtained herein. The information in this document has been carefully checked and is believed to be entirely reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. Motorola, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to any products described herein to improve reliability, function, or design, and reserves the right to revise this document and to make changes from time to time in content hereof with no obligation to notify any person of revisions or changes. Motorola, Inc. does not assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit described herein; neither does it convey license under its patent rights or the rights of others.

SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

GROUNDING GUIDELINE
General Systems Sector Cellular Infrastructure Group

FOR CELLULAR RADIO INSTALLATIONS

CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GENERAL TECHNIQUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 External Ground SubSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 Internal Ground SubSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 Surge Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1 CADWELD Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 External Ground Bar (EGB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 External Ground Ring (EGR) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4 Ground Rods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 Internal Ground Ring (IGR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6 Isolated Ground Bar (IGB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7 Isolated Ground Zone (IGZ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 Master Ground Bar (MGB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9 Multigrounded Neutral (MGN) . . . . . . . . . . 3.10 Tower Ground Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.11 Ufer Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GENERAL PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1 Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.3 Sharp Bends In Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4 Cable Trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 Insulating Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 RS232 Line Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UTILITY SERVICE ENTRANCES . . . . . . . . . 5.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 Telephone Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.3 AC Power System Protection . . . . . . . . . . . .
, Motorola, and EMX are trademarks of Motorola, Inc. CADWELD is a registered trademark of Erico Products, Inc. Megger is a registered trademark of Biddle Instruments.

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6

6.

2.

EXTERNAL GROUNDING SYSTEM . . . . . . . 6.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2 External Building Ground Ring . . . . . . . . . . 6.3 Tower Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.4 Transmission Line Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 Miscellaneous External Ground Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUILDING INTERNAL GROUND SYSTEM 7.1 Single Point Ground System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 Surge Producing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3 Surge Absorbing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4 Internal Ground Ring (IGR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5 Other Nonsurging Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 7.6 Isolated Ground Zone (IGZ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . INTERCONNECTIONS OF THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL GROUND SYSTEMS . . . . . 8.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2 IGR To EGR Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.3 MGB To EGR Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GROUND RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS

7 7 7 8 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 12

7.

3.

8.

13 13 13 13 13 14

4.

9.

10. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTIONS . . . . . APPENDIXES: A. Ground Testing Methods For Cellular Radio Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. Document References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Galvanic Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Grounding Checklists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Reference Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.

15 19 21 23 25

Motorola, Inc. 1992 All Rights Reserved Printed in U.S.A.

Technical Education & Documentation

1501 W. Shure Drive, Suite 3223B, Arlington Heights, Il 60004

68P81150E62A
7/23//92

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE This document is intended to provide methods and practical standards for installing ground systems which will minimize the hazards to personnel, protect the equipment from permanent damage, and where practical, prevent temporary disruptions of the cellular system operation during lightning surges and ground faults.

2.1 EXTERNAL GROUND SUBSYSTEM For sites with radio towers, the purpose of the ground system is to provide the lowest impedance path possible (within practical limits) from the antennas and tower to ground, external to the building. Several subsystems are used to achieve this goal. The tower ground consists of a buried ring of wire encircling the tower base. The external building ground usually takes the form of a buried ring of wire around the building, although it may be necessary to use other designs. This external ground ring (EGR) provides the primary connection to earth for the remainder of the site. The EGR and the tower ring are connected together and supplemented with ground rods. Finally, all rf transmission line shields are grounded at several points.

1.2 ASSUMPTIONS It is assumed throughout this document that the soil in which a ground system is to be established is of average resistivity and that subsurface formations do not prevent ground rods from being driven to the depths specified. Should local conditions prevent the above assumptions from being met, contact Systems Engineering for the special engineering that will be required.

2.2 INTERNAL GROUND SUBSYSTEM The internal system must have a low impedance path to ground and also achieve a minimal potential difference between conductive structures within the site, while eliminating (or at least minimizing) any surge current flow through the site equipment. Safety of personnel and equipment is the overriding concern of this document, not signal grounding. The construction of cellular fixed equipment achieves good internal signal grounding through the inherent quality of the equipment design. Internal ground connections are made to the Master Ground Bar (MGB). The MGB is a large copper bar used as a low resistance junction point for all internal grounds. All rf equipment is tied directly to this main bar. The MGB is tied to the external ground system, the commercial ac ground, and other ground sources such as building steel. Other ground bars, tied back to the MGB, are used to tie clusters of associated equipment together. This isolates equipment clusters from surges while minimizing interequipment voltage potentials within that local cluster. Equipment racks or bays must be isolated from any unplanned ground paths to avoid surge current flow. This can usually be achieved by placing the racks or bays on insulating pads. Finally, an elevated wire ring (Internal Ground Ring, IGR) encircling the equipment area ties miscellaneous conductive items, such as door frames, to the ground bar. The elevated wire ring is also tied to the outside ground system at several points. This improves the effectiveness of the MGB.

1.3 OVERVIEW A cellular radio grounding system is made up of a number of subsystems, both interior and exterior. These consist of certain basic components arranged to achieve the goals of the ground system and adapted to the characteristics of each individual site. Although the exact configurations vary from place to place, the components which are included in a ground system generally remain the same, and the general guiding principles always do. While the specifics of those principles can fill volumes, and this document is not intended to be a theoretical teaching medium, the basic philosophy of this type of ground system can be summed up quite briefly.

NOTE
Local codes take precedence if they are more conservative.

2. GENERAL TECHNIQUES
The general techniques by which a ground system is implemented are described below. While these statements are somewhat simplified, it can be fairly stated that most cellular radio grounding is based on these principles and techniques, and adapted when necessary to meet special requirements at particular sites.

2.3 SURGE PROTECTION To prevent the above efforts from being circumvented by surges entering by the back door, all conductors that enter the building must be protected by devices such as gas tube or MOV protectors. These conductors include all power, telecommunications, and tower lighting lines. The protectors will dissipate surges arriving on those conductors. There are various types of surge protection devices, and care must be

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE taken to see that the type provided by utilities companies, the customer, or Motorola are of the correct type and rating for the application. copper of the ground system installation. (Refer to Appendix C to determine if stainless steel rods are required.) 3.5 INTERNAL GROUND RING (IGR)

3. DEFINITIONS
A summary of the various terms and component parts used in ground systems, with their abbreviations and definitions, are given in the following paragraphs.

This is a ring of bare wire (sometimes referred to as the halo) mounted on the equipment room walls. It serves to connect the miscellaneous metal, nonsurging equipment or objects to a common ground at the master ground bar. The IGR is grounded to the EGR at several points. 3.6 ISOLATED GROUND BAR (IGB)

3.1 CADWELDR PROCESS CADWELD (registered trademark of Erico Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio) is a process for making exothermic welds. Instead of gas or arc welding apparatus, a unique powdered metal mixture is used in conjunction with special graphite molds. The powder reacts to produce molten copper, which flows around and slightly melts the items being joined. The result is a permanent, high quality, strong, and low resistance joint. Examples of various CADWELD products are given in Appendix E, Figure 13 through Figure 15. IGB is similar to, but usually smaller than the MGB. IGB serves as a single grounding point for all equipment within the Isolated Ground Zone (IGZ). The IGB references the IGZ equipment to the same potential, and is only connected to ground through the MGB. 3.7 ISOLATED GROUND ZONE (IGZ) The IGB is an association of nonsurging, switchrelated equipment (i.e., equipment that is not likely to be exposed to lightning surges). This equipment is directly connected to a local common ground point called the Isolated Ground Bar, which in turn is connected to the MGB. The ac outlets in the IGZ must be grounded to the IGB in order to prevent another connection to ground. 3.8 MASTER GROUND BAR (MGB) This is a large copper bar with predrilled holes for mounting lugs. The MGB serves as a convenient, low resistance tie point for ground leads either directly from the equipment or indirectly through the IGR or IGB. An example of MGB usage is shown in Figure 5 (Appendix E); different types are illustrated in Figure 10 (Appendix E). 3.9 MULTIGROUNDED NEUTRAL (MGN) The EGR is a buried external bare wire that is usually in the form of a ring around the building. The EGR together with the tower ring and associated ground rods form the main ground terminus for the site. The EGR may take the physical form of a C or an L shape in cases where all sides of the building are not accessible. Also see paragraph 3.11 Ufer Grounds on page 4of this document. 3.4 GROUND RODS Ground rods are usually copperclad steel and a minimum of 8feet long and 5/8inch diameter. Longer and larger diameter rods are available. Also, stainless steel rods are required if objects of corrosionprone metal are buried near the This is the ground lead that is the third wire of a single phase ac service drop, or the fourth wire of a three phase ac service drop. It is labeled multigrounded because of the typical (though not always required) power industry practice of grounding this lead at several points along the utility transmission path. 3.10 TOWER GROUND RING This is a ring of bare, buried wire surrounding the tower base, connecting the several tower ground rods together. It is connected to the tower by one or more conductors. It must also be connected to the EGR.

3.2 EXTERNAL GROUND BAR (EGB) The EGB is a large copper bar with predrilled holes for mounting lugs. It may be equipped with a 2 copper strap, 1/16 inch thick to serve as a connection to the EGR. It serves as a convenient, low resistance tie point for ground leads from the transmission line ground kits at the point of entry to the equipment room. It is located directly under the waveguide entry window on the outside of the equipment room. Refer to Figure 2 (Appendix E).

3.3 EXTERNAL GROUND RING (EGR)

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

3.11 UFER GROUNDS Named after the engineer who first developed this grounding technique, this term refers to the use of concrete as an interface medium between a ground conductor (in the form of a wire in a concretefilled trench, or a wire mesh embedded in a concrete slab) and the surrounding earth. Ufer grounds are usually used at sites where the local soil exhibits poor conductivity or on rocky sites covered with little or no soil cover. The concrete, being highly hygroscopic, absorbs and retains moisture from the surrounding soil, thus enhancing its conductivity. Because the concrete makes direct contact with the imbedded conductor, and has a large surface area in contact with the soil or rock, the effectiveness of the grounding system is greatly improved. In more normal sites, a significant benefit results from connecting the ground system to the site foundation if it is made of reinforced concrete because this type of foundation is basically a Ufer ground.

contribute to galvanic corrosion. In this case, stainless steel rods are required.

NOTE
It is imperative that tinned copper wire be utilized for tower guy ground leads to prevent corrosion of galvanized guys. Refer to paragraph 6.3 Tower Grounding on page 8of this document.

4.1.2 Conductor Sizes Above Ground: For ground rings and the interconnection of internal and external ground rings, #2 AWG or larger is required. For grounding of equipment and miscellaneous metallic objects, #6 AWG minimum is required. Exceptions: Connection from the isolated ground bar (IGB) to master ground bar (MGB) shall be #2 AWG, minimum. The EGB shall be grounded through a minimum 2inch wide, 16gauge copper strap, or alternately with two #2 AWG wires. The wires are to be connected at opposite ends of the EGB, with a minimum of 12 inches separation between them Below Ground: All wire must be #2 AWG, minimum. Ground rods are to be a minimum of 8 feet in length and 5/8 inch in diameter. In the case of a deep basement adjacent to the rod, the rod must be long enough to extend a minimum of three feet below the basement floor.

4. GENERAL PRACTICES
4.1 CONDUCTORS These are the wires, straps, and rods which form ground rings and allow connection of objects to be grounded to the ground system. Conductor type and size are determined by impedance, and ability to withstand fusing and corrosion (particularly underground).

NOTE
4.2 CONNECTIONS Conductors which are only partially underground (e.g. connections from the tower ring) are to be treated as below ground conductors. 4.2.1 Below Ground All below ground connections should be of an exothermic weld construction or equivalent. 4.1.1 Conductor Types Above Ground: Either solid or stranded copper wire is permitted. Internal ground ring (IGR) and all external conductors must be bare. Equipment ground leads in cable trays must be insulated. (Green color insulation is desirable for ready identification.) Miscellaneous interior grounds from the IGR to door frames, etc., may be insulated if desired. Below Ground: Rings or wires connecting to rings are to be tinned, solid copper wire. Ground rods are to consist of copper clad steel, except incases where nearby steel or galvanized steel could Exceptions: Bolted clamps are recommended for the following: D D connections between tower and building ground systems connections between EGR and any other exterior ground system, such as a utility ground.

The purpose of these mechanical connections is to facilitate the testing and maintenance of the site ground system. As these connections can easily be removed and reconnected, each major component of the ground system can be tested separately to aid in isolating high impedance components of the system.

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE A mechanical, below ground connection such as this must be protected by locating it inside a covered test well (the side of this well must be constructed of nonmetallic material). Materials utilized for the connection must not corrode, deteriorate, or loosen. 4.2.2 Above Ground When two or more grounding conductors are to be joined above ground, either exothermic weld or splitbolt joint (copper alloy or pressure type crimp connectors) are acceptable, except that crimp connections shall not be used on solid conductors. Exceptions: For connections which may be exposed to extreme stress such as weathering and/or surging, exothermic welds must be used at both ends. These include the following: D connections between lightning arrestor bracket and EGR connections between EGB and EGR connections between tower leg and ground rod 4.3 SHARP BENDS IN CONDUCTORS 4.2.3 Connection to Equipment Connection of conductors to equipment should be by the use of lugs or clamps appropriate to the size and type of wire and provisions of the equipment being grounded. 4.2.4 Connection Joint Preparation The surfaces of each conductor to be connected are to be well cleaned, removing all paint, dirt, and corrosion in the area of connection before each joint is made, whether it be a mechanical or welded joint. After mechanical joints are completed, application of an antioxidant compound, such as NOOX or equivalent is recommended. When using nonwelded mechanical connections, such as bolton lugs, the following practices should be followed: D To ensure good electrical contact, the mating surfaces should be clean and flat. Twoholed lugs are required on all #2 AWG or larger ground leads mechanically attached to the MGB, IGB, and EGB, and are preferred for other grounding leads where the size of the wire (#6 AWG or larger) might exert sufficient stress on the lug to loosen a single mounting bolt. These are to be avoided as they add inductance and are prone to damage from lightning derived magnetic flux. A bending radius of 8 inches or more is required. 4.4 CABLE TRAYS All cable tray sections are to be jumpered together using #6 wire. All paint around the connection area is to be removed, and a splitring lockwasher is to be used to ensure good surface contact. Exception: The cable tray in the IGZ is not to be connected to the nonIGZ cable tray. 4.5 INSULATING MATS It is required that all EMX and surge producing racks be protected from any casual ground contacts. This can be implemented through the use of insulating mats and hardware in the rack floor mounting, as well as insulating hardware between the racks and the cable tray, should bracing to the cable tray be required. 4.6 RS232 LINE PROTECTION The RS232 interfaces in the base station and the cellular switch are easily damaged by lightning surges if proper D Stainless steel mounting hardware (nuts, bolts, etc.) is required on all outside connections as well as on the MGB and IGB, and is preferred for all other ground leads. Lugs may be tinned rather than stainless. The lug holes and stainless bolt sizes are to be chosen to match the mounting hole sizes, so that there is minimal play in the mechanical assembly prior to tightening the nuts. Split ring type lockwashers should be used to prevent the nuts from loosening. Refer to Figure 5, Detail A for proper hardware assembly.

NOTE
Exothermic connections may be made between some dissimilar metals (those which would corrode if mechanically connected together) as the discrete interface (which instigates the corrosion) between the two metals no longer exists in an exothermic weld. An exception to this is a weld between aluminum and copper. An exothermic weld using these two metals will corrode in a very short period of time. See appendix C for more information regarding corrosion from dissimilar metals.

D D

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

system design and/or installation procedures are not followed. Those interfaces include data modem ports on the base station and the switch, the base station maintenance modem port, and the TTY interfaces on the switch. If these RS232 ports are connected through cables to other RS232 devices, such as modems, DSUs, TTYs, etc., and the logic references at the opposite ends of the cable differ by more than 2025 volts, the RS232 device drivers at one or both ends of the RS232 link may be destroyed during a lightning surge. For this reason, the base station data modems are normally dc powered off the same voltage buses that feed the BSC RS232 circuitry. The cellular switch data modems are powered from the same dc circuitry as the switch itself. With this arrangement, the logic ground references at both ends of the RS232 links are the same. In addition, frame grounding procedures at the cell and switch sites must be carefully followed. The maintenance modems normally supplied are only powered from the telco lines feeding them, and the RS232 link is internally isolated to avoid destructive ground reference differences.

5. UTILITY SERVICE ENTRANCES

5.1 GENERAL Utility service entrances deserve discussion in themselves because, not only do surges tend to enter the site via the service entrances, but if properly installed, they have their own grounding systems. It is important that these separate systems be integrated into the cellular ground system. Note that the cellular grounding system does not constitute a substitute for the utility ground system, only a separate, complementary system. It is critical that all separate grounding systems at a site be electrically tied together in order to eliminate potential differences between the systems. For this reason, it is required that any ac neutral and the telephone grounding systems be connected to the MGB. In addition, the exterior grounding electrodes of these utilities are to be tied into the external cellular ground system. It is recommended that a mechanical connection be used (as described in section 4. General Practices paragraphs beginning on page 4of this document). This allows for testing of the EGR system by temporarily opening the cross connection without removing the ground on the utility, which would create a safety hazard.

Special consideration must be given to the maintenance terminal (TTY) interface. The TTY RS232 link is susceptible to surge damage if the TTY is not powered by ac source from within the IGZ (i.e. an isolated orange outlet). For this reason, if the TTY is powered from outside the IGZ, it is required that an isolation technique, as described in the following paragraph, be used.

5.2 TELEPHONE LINES Each telephone line pair (this includes telephone circuits for the cellular voice channels, data circuits, dialup modems, alarm reporting autodial lines, and any other switched network or leased telephone lines) entering or leaving a site should be equipped with a threeelectrode gas tube protector such as the Cook Electric 9A or equivalent. If possible, negotiate with the local telephone utility to provide the type of protectors described above. Normally, telephone companies will provide carbon protectors which do no meet the above requirements. The ground for these protectors should then be connected to the cellular ground system as previously described in paragraph 5.1.

If the RS232 interfaces are not installed according to the above guidelines, specific surge protection devices must be added to the RS232 links to protect the device drivers from damage by lightning induced surges. The best approach to surge protection is the use of backtoback fiber optic RS232 serial modems. The fiber optic link between the modems provides the ultimate in isolation between the two ends of the link. Another isolation approach is the use of backtoback transformer isolated short haul modems. There must be no metallic ground connections between the two modems, so that the transformer isolation (with 1500 volt or higher isolation rating) will protect the RS232 from damage.

5.3 AC POWER SYSTEM PROTECTION 5.3.1 Commercial Power It is critical that the ac power system be properly grounded, as this is a common backdoor method for surges to enter the site. It is the commercial power authoritys responsibility to ensure proper external grounding of the MultiGrounded Neutral (MGN). This consists of a connection from the MGN to a ground rod, usually at the last power pole before the power is brought into the customers power service entry. The customer is responsible for installing a separate

Clamping type RS232 surge protectors are not recommended. Although these devices may protect the RS232 device drivers from damage during a surge, they will pass large surge currents into the equipment ground structure which may disrupt the operation of microprocessors, etc. Using the proper modems discussed earlier, will provide the proper RS232 line protection.

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE grounding system at the ac power service entry to his facilities. This is at the first point of entry, usually at the main ac power disconnect. The requirement consists of a connection from the MGN to a ground rod connection. This grounding electrode system is to comply with applicable electrical codes, such as the NEC (Section 25081). Refer to Figure 11 in Appendix E for further illustration.

6. EXTERNAL GROUNDING SYSTEM WARNING

Consult with the local utility (electric, gas, telephone, and water) companies to determine the location of any underground facilities prior to digging. Failure to do so can result in expensive damage to those systems, as well as injury or death to personnel.

In addition, surge protection is to be installed on the ac power system. Recommended are the Joslyn protectors, available for a variety of service entry configurations. Other equivalent ac surge protectors, when correctly sized for the application and potential energy levels, are also available. Cellular System Engineering can assist in the selection of an appropriate model for particular installations.

6.1 OVERVIEW The external ground system consists of the building ground, the tower and transmission ground (if radio equipment exists at the site), and any miscellaneous metal objects which are in proximity to any of the above. The objective of a good grounding system is twofold: D to connect all components together with the least impedance between components. This will minimize the potential difference between components should surge occur, which in turn will minimize damage. to provide the path of least impedance from the ground system components to earth ground. Any surge that does occur will then be dissipated quickly. In general, ground system resistances of less than 10ohms must be achieved, with 5ohms or less being the goal.

The protector must connect to and protect each under ground service conductor. These protectors are to be connected on the load side of the main disconnect.

D 5.3.2 Generators

If an outdoor generator exists on site, it is also recommended that a surge protector be installed on the load side of the generator transfer switch. This will ensure protection to the ac power distribution system when the commercial power is offline.

NOTE
Exceptions may be permitted in unusual circumstances if the impedance goal cannot be met. System Engineering must review such sites.

If the generator is a separately derived source of power (i.e. its neutral is separate from the neutral of the commercial ac power source), the neutral of the generator must have its own grounding electrode system which is then tied into the cellular external ground system. A convenient way to determine if the generator is separately derived source is through inspection of the generator transfer panel. If the neutral on the load side of the transfer panel is switched between the commercial neutral and that of the generator, the generator is considered a separately derived source. If the neutral is unswitched (i.e. the commercial power neutral is at all times continuous with the generator neutral and the neutral to the loads), then the generator neutral must not have a separate grounding electrode system.

The following list is a summary of the drawings found in Appendix E that are applicable to the external ground system: D D D D D Figure 2, External Ground Window Detail Figure 4, Typical Monopole Grounding Figure 6, Typical Cell Site Ground Plan Figure 7, Tower Base and Guy Wire Grounding Details Figure 8, Example of Ufer Ground Plan.

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

6.2 EXTERNAL BUILDING GROUND RING 6.2.1 Standalone Building The building external ground system begins with a ground rod beneath the cable entry ground window, rods at each corner of the building, and additional rods as necessary, to reduce the distance between the rods to 16 feet. (If, for example, a building side is longer than 16 feet but shorter than 32 feet, one rod must be placed near the center.) The rods should be driven, using the proper tool to prevent rod deformation and thread damage to threaded coupling rods, if used. (The use of nonthreaded rods joined by exothermic connections are recommended.) Ground rods are not to be placed in drilled holes, unless specifically approved by Systems Engineering. The rods are to be sunk until the rod tops are at a minimum depth of 18 inches below finished grade. The majority (more than 2/3) of the rod length must be below the local frost line. The rods should be placed in a line approximately two feet from, and parallel to, the building foundation. Rods will be connected in a ring (the external ground ring, or EGR) buried to the same depth as the tops of the ground rods. This wire interconnecting ring must be exothermically welded to each of the rods. 6.2.2 Inaccessible Building Sides If all sides of a building are not accessible, constructing a straight or L shaped ground bus on each accessible side, supplemented by Ufer grounding, connections to the building steel, etc., will be acceptable. Refer to Figure 8. An example of an inaccessible building would be a cell site in a shopping center, in which only the front and rear areas of the building are accessible to the customer. In this situation, ground wires and rods would be installed at the front and back in a manner similar to standalone building. These two sections would be interconnected by a #2 AWG wire laid in, or under, the building concrete, and supplemented by Ufer grounds if possible. The above information is for planning purposes only; consult with Systems Engineering for specific guidance. 6.2.3 Sites Located in Existing Buildings Existing buildings can present a particularly difficult grounding situation. Usually the most difficult problem is to find a usable ground. Every effort should be made to determine what grounding provisions already exist in the building. Particularly important is finding the building ground if it exists. Other alternatives are metallic water pipes (if they can be verified as completely metal runs) which are always

accessible with some effort (the buildings maintenance department will know where), and the buildings structural steel, whether girders, elevator shaft vertical support beams or reinforcement rods. These can be effective when used to supplement one another. While none of these will provide a very low impedance path to earth if the site is several stories up, the important goal is to keep everything within the site at nearly the same (albeit high) potential. The foregoing assumes an older, reinforced concrete or brick building; in the case of a smaller, one story structure in which the site rests upon concrete slab in contact with the earth, a combination of external ground and an Ufer ground (obtained by cutting into the slab to find the reinforcing bar) may be the solution. Finally, common sense plus a bit of creativity, guided by the underlying principles of the foregoing problems should at least allow initial planning to take place. However, before final grounding plans for an unusual site are completed, it is strongly suggested that System Engineering be sought for guidance and specific recommendations. 6.3 TOWER GROUNDING In general, the tower base is surrounded by a ring installed according to the guidelines for buried conductors. The tower ring is to have a minimum of three ground rods (four in case of monopole tower). If the spacing between these rods is greater than 16 feet, additional rods are to be added to ensure a spacing of no more than 16 feet between the rods. It is recommended that two connections be made between the tower ring and the building external ground ring.

6.3.1 Lattice (Selfsupporting) Towers Lattice towers are to be grounded with at least one ground rod adjacent to each tower leg. Rods are to be connected to the tower leg with #2 AWG solid, tinned, copper wire, and to one another with a ring of #2 AWG solid, tinned, copper wire. The vertical wire from the tower leg to the ring should be insulated from earth contact for the first 12 inches or more by passing it through a PVC pipe. This is to reduce the step voltage in the immediate vicinity of the tower. (Refer to Appendix E, Figure 6, Inset A.) Exothermic weld joints are to be used for both the above and below ground connections. Again, if the distance between ground rods is more than 16 feet, additional rods will be driven midway between the two tower leg rods. It is recommended that the base ground ring of unguyed towers be supplemented by at least two radial wires. If the diameter of the tower ground ring is less then 16 feet, then these radials are required if the size of the site permits (any

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE exceptions should be reviewed by System Engineering). These should be approximately 20 feet, or as long as it is practical for the site, and extend away from the building. Ground rods should be placed at the middle and at the end. Refer to Appendix E, Figure 6 for more information. should be well protected by an antioxidant compound such as NoOx, as bare or taped joints will soon deteriorate. Refer to appendix E, Figure 7 for more information. 6.3.4 Roof Mounted Antennas Antennas mounted on the roof of an existing building pose particular problems. If the roof is open to provide direct connection to the steel structure, the opportunity for a good ground is present, and the ground leads are to be attached to at that time. Other possibilities include elevator shaft steel support girders and preexisting lightning protection system. Any of these alternate possibilities must be inspected or tested to confirm their electrical continuity to ground. The antenna supporting structure should be grounded by a minimum of #2 AWG conductor to the building ground if possible. If multiple grounds or connection points are available, a ground ring around the base of the tower or group of antennas and transmission lines should be formed, much as at the ground level site. Connections, analogous to ground rods at a normal site, will be made from this ring to whatever good grounds are to be found. 6.4 TRANSMISSION LINE GROUNDING 6.4.1 Overview 6.3.3 Guyed Towers Although the tower base is to be surrounded by a ring with three (minimum) ground rods, only one connection from the base to one of the ground rods is required. Guy wires added to an antenna tower not only add stability to the tower installation, but can also reduce the current share of the tower (and thus the surge voltage level of the MGB), since the tower guys become part of the overall ground circuit of the antenna installation. Another benefit of guyed towers is the wider area over which current can be dispersed, allowing more rapid dissipation and reduced step voltage. It is very important, however, that the guys be well grounded. The transmission line system is probably the most likely path for surges to enter the site. It is critical, therefore that this system be thoroughly grounded. All transmission lines, cellular and noncellular must be properly grounded. 6.4.2 Outer Conductor Grounding Where To Ground: The transmission line outer conductors shall be grounded at the following places: D D D D top of the vertical run on the tower. bottom of the vertical run on the tower. point of entrance to the radio equipment building. If the tower is greater than 200 feet, additional grounding kits must be installed. These additional kits are positioned such that there is no more than 200 feet of transmission line between ground kits.

6.3.2 Monopole Masts These antenna supports typically exhibit much greater current surges when struck by lightning, as compared to guyed towers which have additional paths to ground. They must therefore be grounded with a minimum of four ground rods, connected together as specified in paragraph 6.3.1 above, and as shown in Figure 4 (Appendix E). The addition of two short radials (20 feet each is adequate) extended outward from the monopole base and away from the site building is required, if the size of the site permits. Any exceptions should be reviewed by System Engineering. This will serve to reduce the share of current on the rf transmission lines by lowering the base impedance of the tower. These ground radials should have a ground rod at the middle and at the end, and will otherwise follow the construction guidelines for external buried conductors. Any large metal objects such as fences encountered along their path will be jumpered to the radial, to reduce shock hazards.

Each guy wire will be grounded at the anchor point. A ground rod will be installed at each guy anchor and connected to #2 AWG solid, tinned, copper wire, using an exothermic connection. This wire will pass through an insulating pipe such as PVC, or similar, extending from several inches above the ground to at least 12 inches below ground. This will greatly reduce the step voltage hazard. The connection from the tinned copper wire to the guy wires must be made with bronze, stainless steel, or galvanized steel clamps to avoid corrosion of the guys. Care must be exercised at the time of installation to maintain the integrity of the tin coating. Under no circumstance is bare copper wire permitted to be in contact with galvanized steel, as a serious corrosion potential will exist. After tightening, the clamps

How To Ground: Grounding of transmission lines is to be accomplished by use of an appropriate grounding kit supplied by the transmission line manufacturer. These kits are to be installed as follows: D On top of the tower, each ground kit is to run from the transmission line to the tower or a steel bar attached to

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

the tower (thereby establishing a good electrical connection with the tower). The tower then becomes the main conductor of any surges to ground. The same type connection is used at any midtower grounding points. D

6.4.4 Unused transmission Lines Any unused transmission line should have its center conductor shorted to the outer conductor, or have a lightning arrestor installed.

At the bottom of the vertical run, the ground kits are run either to the tower or a steel bar attached to the tower. The tower again becomes the main conductor of any surges through the transmission line. It is not required to run a separate lead from the steel bar to ground, as the tower is a good conductor.

6.5 MISCELLANEOUS EXTERNAL GROUND CONNECTIONS Objects which should be connected to the external ground network include, but are not limited to, the following: D Any metal fence within seven feet of the external ground network or any other grounded object. The transmission line entrance hatch (if metallic). Metal building parts not otherwise grounded by the internal ground ring, such as downspouts, siding, security grates over windows, metal ground mats, etc. Fuel storage tanks, whether above or below ground.

At the point of entrance to the building, the ground kits are connected to the External Ground Bar (EGB). The EGB should be equipped with either a 2inch copper strap or two #2 AWG tinned, solid, copper wires, positioned at opposite ends of the EGB. The strap (or wires) is to be exothermically bonded to the EGB and the EGR. All connections from the EGB to the EGR will pass through an insulating pipe such as PVC, extending from several inches above the ground to at least 12 inches below ground. This will greatly reduce the step voltage hazard.

D D

On monopole antennas, transmission line grounding arrangements must be specified when the monopole is purchased, to be sure top and bottom grounding connection points are provided.

NOTE
If fuel storage tanks are steel or galvanized (not stainless) and unprotected by an anticorrosion coating, care must be taken to avoid a galvanic reaction source. Hardware of the same metal, or stainless steel hardware should be used to make any ground connections. Refer to Appendix C for further information on corrosion. As copper will react with steel (or galvanized steel), all copper grounding hardware must be kept a minimum of 5 feet from any source of these metals. If this is not feasible, then stainless steel grounding hardware must be used.

A very significant reduction in surge potential will be realized as the departure point of the transmission lines from the tower is lowered. Whenever site circumstances permit, the lines should be run to within seven feet of the ground or less before leaving the tower, to keep the shield potential (and the related current) as low as possible. The ideal situation is to run the transmission line to ground level before leaving the tower. This allows the ground kits to be attached to the tower at its base, thereby bringing the surge potential on the outer conductors closer to true ground potential. D

A ground rod or rods provided by the power or telephone utility for grounding of ac ground or protectors. Any significant metal object (more than 2 sq. ft. in area) within seven feet of the external ground system or any other grounded object. Reinforcing bar in concrete floors, if accessible. (This is actually a type of Ufer grounda very effective supplemental ground.) For sites on concrete slabs in contact with earth, the considerable ground system improvement which may be realized by including this

6.4.3 Inner Conductor Grounding

Lightning protector equipment is to be installed on all transmission lines entering the building. This equipment is to be installed within 3 feet inside the waveguide entry window. The ground plane of this equipment is to be connected to the EGR via a #2 solid tinned wire (since it is partially buried) which will pass through the wall via nonconductive conduit.

10

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE ground will nearly always justify the effort required. However, because of the very high current density at the tower base, placing ground rods in tower foundations is not advised, to avoid possible heating effect damage to the concrete. D D D Building skids or pier foundation anchors of prefabricated buildings. Exterior cable tray and ice shields, which are to be grounded at the tower end also. If the generator is a separately derived power source, its grounding electrode must be crosstied to the external grounding system. which may affect the operation of sensitive switching and computer equipment. 7.1.2 Location and Mounting The single point ground consists of a heavy, rectangular, copper bar that has been drilled to accept a number of connecting lugs and exothermically welded straps and cables. The bar is referred to as the Master Ground Bar (MGB). The bar is to be insulated from its supporting structure. Appropriate types of bars are shown in Appendix E, Figure 10. The bar should ideally be mounted in a location central to all connecting equipment in order to make the shortest connections possible. 7.1.3 Connections to Single Point Ground

7. BUILDING INTERNAL GROUND SYSTEM

7.1 SINGLE POINT GROUND SYSTEM 7.1.1 Overview The internal ground system consists of several major elements: D D D D surge producing equipment surge absorbing equipment internal ground ring (IGR), to which nonsurging equipment is connected at the MTSO sites, the isolated ground zone (IGZ) in the EMX area.

The MGB forms the central, key ground node of the internal grounding system. Its connections are arranged in four groups: surge producers, surge absorbers, nonsurging equipment, and the Isolated Ground Zone. Appropriate grouping of the connections is illustrated in Appendix E, Figure 5. Figure 3 illustrates the internal grounding system at a collocated site. 7.2 SURGE PRODUCING EQUIPMENT There are several sources of surge energy, whether from a local lightning strike or power surge, or from one more distant, coupled into the site via telephone or ac power lines. As these surges can be significant, it is critically important that surge producers, including ac power and telephone entrance panels be located as close to the MGB as possible. Connections from the surge producing equipment to the single point ground are to be made via #6 AWG minimum wire with green insulation for easy identification. The following surge producers are to be directly connected to the MGB: D Radio racks Connection is to be made to the top of each rack, to the lug specifically designated for this purpose. Each rack is to be insulated from the building floor by installing insulating mats and mounting hardware. Adjoining racks may have casual contact with each other providing the adjoining rack is also directly connected to the MGB. Otherwise, insulating hardware must be used between adjoining racks. Waveguide entry window (if metallic) Receiver Multicoupler (RMC) Each RMC is to have its own connection to the MGB. However, additional MGB connections to the RMC rack and RMC extenders (mounted in the same rack) are not neces-

The single point ground philosophy is one which dictates that all major elements of the system be grounded to a single point. The connections to this point are made in such a way that any surges which are produced will be taken to ground along the path of least impedance, inflicting as little damage as possible. Implementing this philosophy entails insulating surge producers from any casual connections to ground (such as through rack floor bolts connecting with rebar and concrete in the floor), and installing a single low impedance connection from each surge producer to the single point ground. The single point ground is then methodically connected to various surge absorbers in order to dissipate any surges of energy. Other major nonsurging components of the internal ground system, such as the IGR and the IGZ, are also connected to the single point ground in order to minimize potential differences between various types of equipment. This in turn minimizes personnel safety hazards, as well as noise currents

D D

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

11

sary if the RMC and RMC extenders have been rack mounted with threaded hardware. The RMC rack is to be insulated from the building floor in the same manner described for the radio racks.

NOTE
The multigrounded neutral and the main disconnect panel are also to be connected to its own separate ground system as described in 5. Utility Service Entrances paragraphs on page 6 of this document. The connections to the utility ground and the MGB must both take place within the main disconnect panel. The multigrounded neutral must not be connected to ground at any other point within the facility.

Telephone protector grounding terminal

Emergency generator chassis

NOTE
A separate internal ground system in generator room may be used, but it must be connected to the site ground system at either the external ring or the MGB to equalize potentials.

4.

Building steel (i.e., girders and/or reinforcement bar) if accessible.

7.4 INTERNAL GROUND RING (IGR) 7.4.1 General The IGR (sometimes called the halo) allows short lengths of wire from nonsurge producing metal objects (door frames, air ducts, etc.) to be connected to the internal ground system for safety purposes. The IGR is to be connected to the master ground bar (MGB) as well as to the external ground at several points. This practice improves the effectiveness of the MGB grounding by reducing its inductance to the EGR and therefore to true ground. Refer to Figure 6 in Appendix E. The IGR is to consist of #2 AWG minimum, solid or stranded wire. It shall not be concealed or painted. This is to facilitate inspection and future addons of equipment. 7.4.2 IGR Location and Mounting The IGR should encircle the radio equipment at cell sites, the EMX and related equipment at MTSO sites, and both radio and EMX equipment at collocated sites. The radio and EMX equipment is not to be directly connected to the IGR. These equipments are connected to the MGB or IGB as explained in later paragraphs. The ends of the IGR are to be connected to the MGB. The IGR should be the lower of a level about six inches from the ceiling or 8 to 10 feet above the floor. It should be mounted on standoffs or be suspended to permit easy connections. 7.4.3 Connections to the IGR The following connections to the IGR are to be made with #6 AWG insulated stranded copper wire (green insulation is preferred):

Channel banks

7.3 SURGE ABSORBING EQUIPMENT

Surge absorbers are those equipments or systems which can readily absorb an energy surge and quickly dissipate it into earth ground. The following surge absorbers are to be connected directly to the MGB:

External ground ring using #2 AWG solid, tinned copper wire (minimum); a 2inch copper strap may also be used. Either lead must pass through an insulating channel to the EGR by the most direct route. Sharp bends are not permitted.

Metal water utility pipes on the street side of the meter (when permitted by local codes).

NOTE
Do not use gas pipe for grounding.

The ac multigrounded neutral. (The ac entry panel should be close to the MGB.)

12

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE D D Ventilation louvers or sheet metal ductwork The nonIGZ cable tray system (at multiple points best) Metal door and window frames Metal battery racks Halon fire suppression system Generator transfer switch enclosure Any other permanent, significant, metal object within seven feet of any other grounded object These trays are those which are carrying any switchrelated cabling and may not carry any rf cabling. They are to be isolated from any nonIGZ trays. 7.6.4 Items to be Grounded to IGB D D MGB via #2 AWG wire The EMX (500, 250, and 100+) via a lug at the top of any of the bays (It is assumed the EMX frames have all been electrically connected together via the ground braid located at the bottoms of the racks.) For the EMX 2500, the PDF bay ground bus will be used. Third wire grounds from the isolated ac outlets in the IGZ Cable tray within the IGZ (connected at one point only) IGZ distribution frame, if no outside metallic lines or protector grounds are present. Modem frames, if not electrically connected to the EMX frames. Other EMX associated, nonsurging equipment frames D Should test equipment or TTYs be connected to the EMX during a surge, any potential difference across the equipment will be minimized, as all grounds within the IGZ are connected at the same point.

D D D D D

One of the most straightforward methods of implementing the isolated electrical outlets is to utilize a separate distribution panel which is powered from an appropriately sized circuit on the main distribution panel. Refer to Appendix E, Figure 12 for details. 7.6.3 Isolated Cable Trays

NOTE
Do not connect the main ac disconnect panel to the IGR as this is connected to the ac grounding system.

7.5 OTHER NONSURGING EQUIPMENT In addition to the IGR, the +24 V dc power plant ground bar and the 48 V dc power plant ground bar are to be connected to the nonsurge producing section of the MGB. 7.6 ISOLATED GROUND ZONE (IGZ) 7.6.1 General The EMX location uses an isolated ground window approach. This means all grounds are tied together at a single point, the isolated ground bar, which becomes a window to the actual ground. Examples are illustrated in Figure 10 in Appendix E. Conductors to the IGB shall be green insulated, minimum #6 AWG stranded copper wire. 7.6.2 Isolated electrical Outlets D D D D D

7.6.5 Additional RS232 Protection All electrical outlets in the EMX isolated ground zone are to be of the isolated orangecoded type. The third or green wire grounds from these outlets are to be connected to the IGB. The purpose of this isolated ground wire system is two fold: D It reduces noise currents in the IGZ. Equipment which is connected both to ac outlets and cellular equipment is particularly susceptible to potential differences during surge conditions. It is therefore recommended that all RS232 connections be further protected through the use of fiberoptic protectors. For more information, refer to the paragraphs of 4.6 RS232 Line Protection on page 5.

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

13

8. INTERCONNECTIONS OF THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL GROUND SYSTEMS

8.1 GENERAL The interconnection is accomplished by connecting the MGB and the IGR to the EGR. 8.2 IGR TO EGR CONNECTION The IGR to EGR connections are to be made with #2 AWG solid tinned bare wire routed through nonconducting conduit in the walls. These connections shall be made at each corner of the equipment room, and as needed between corners to keep all connections at a minimum of 16 feet apart. 8.3 MGB TO EGR CONNECTION This connection is to be made either via a 2inch wide by 1/16inch thick copper strap or a #2 AWG solid, tinned, copper wire. It is recommended that the connection at the MGB be mechanical so that it may be temporarily disconnected during testing and maintenance of the ground system. The conductor is to be routed through the wall through a nonconductive conduit. All sharp bends are to be eliminated.

The fall of potential method is recommended for small sites with an overall ground system diameter of less than 100 feet. A Megger Earth Tester, or equivalent, is recommended for this test. Note that an accurate measurement requires a distant probe placed at a distance of at least five times the diameter of the overall ground system of the site; for large sites, this may not be practical. Should this situation be encountered, an alternative method may be used. Briefly, this consists of taking a series of closerin readings which give false results, but which trend toward more accurate ones. By using a graph of these results, and extrapolating the trend, one may closely estimate true ground values. Refer to Appendix A for a detailed, stepbystep procedure. All connections should be checked if this specification cannot be met, and after a thorough inspection, System Engineering should be consulted for a special evaluation of the grounding system.

10. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTIONS

A ground system by its very nature is exposed to weathering corrosion. This coupled with the importance of the ground system to the safety of personnel and equipment makes it mandatory that periodic inspections be made of all ground system components. A suggested schedule is immediately after the ground installation has been installed or modified, six months afterward, and then annually. The security of all bolted or clamped connections and the condition of the wire jumpers exposed to physical damage are two key checks to be made. NoOx is to be reapplied to all mechanical connections. The tower must also be inspected for corrosion, loosening bolts, etc. A ground resistivity test is also recommended, as any increase in resistivity from previous readings indicates deterioration of the ground system. If an increase is measured, the problem may be isolated by measuring the various sub systems of the ground system. This may be easily done if mechanical connections (in test wells if underground) have been implemented between the subsystems. These connections may then be used to disconnect the various subsystems from each other, in order to measure each one independently of others. These subsystems include the tower ground ring (and radials), the external ground ring around the building, the internal ground system, and any utility ground systems.

9. GROUND RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS

The maximum ac resistance between any point on the ground system and a nontrivial reference ground should be 5 ohms or less. Exceptions may be permitted in unusual circumstances, with a slightly higher resistance being allowed in the case of very rocky sites. Such sites and circumstances shall always require review and evaluation by Systems Engineering; safety and certain warranty related issues being involved. An instrument designed specifically for this type of measurement (such as the Biddle Instruments Megger Earth Testers) must be used and the instructions provided with the instrument should be followed for proper measurement method.

14

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

APPENDIX A Ground Testing Methods For Cellular Radio Sites

1. FALL OF POTENTIAL METHOD

1.1 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS REQUIRED D D D D D D Megger Null Balance Earth Tester (Biddle Instruments, Blue Bell, PA). Extra test lead wire (2 spools; 500 ft., #12 or #14 AWG insulated wire). Test stakes (included with Earth Tester). Long tape measure (100 ft. or more). Compass (to ensure a straight path along which the P2 probe of the Earth Tester will be placed). Two small ( 1/2 in. diameter) metal hose clamps, or similar device, to fasten extension lead to C2 and P2 probes.

Step 2.

Connect the short test lead from terminal C1 on the Earth Tester to the approximate electrical center of Ground system Under Test (GUT).

NOTE
The electrical center of the ground system will probably be the vertical lead to the site external ground bar, where the rf transmission line shields will be grounded just prior to entering the building. This is also near the point where the tower ground ring is tied to the buildings external ground system. Other site configurations will require local evaluation.

Step 3.

Connect a long test lead, extended by a length (see following note) of #12 or #14 AWG insulated wire, to the C2 terminal of the Earth Tester.

1.2 PROCEDURE

NOTE NOTE
The C2 probe will be driven 1.5 to 2 feet into the ground at a point that is at least 5 times the diameter of the site ground system (including the tower ground and grounded fences, guy wire anchors, etc.) from the site. Choose a convenient direction that has no obstacles to the wire or to the insertion of the P2 and C2 probes.

Figure 1 (Appendix E) illustrates the following procedure, with a sample graph of the results expected. For sites with very large ground systems or obstructions, please read the paragraphs of 2. The Asymptote Variation Of The Fall Of Potential Method on page16.

Step 4. Step 1. If a 4terminal tester is utilized, jumper the C1 and P1 terminals of the Earth Tester together. (These are internally jumpered on the 3terminal tester.)

Firmly clamp the opposite end of the C2 test lead to the side and near the top of the C2 probe. Leave enough clearance between the top of the probe and the test lead connection to avoid hammer contact and damage to the clamp.

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

15

Step 5.

With the tape measure, mark a number of points along a straight line (use compass) corresponding to the following percentages of the overall C1 to C2 distance (600 ft. is used in this example):

Step 8.

Plot the accumulated data on linear graph paper. The 62% point will show the true resistance of the ground system when the resistance of the extra wire is subtracted (approximately 1/2 to 1 ohm, depending on exact wire type).

Point 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

% 20 30 40 50 55 62 70 80

Feet to P2 120 180 240 300 330 372 420 480

Ohms _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ 2.1 INTRODUCTION _________

NOTE
If the data point for the 62% measurement is off the general line of the curve, it may have been corrupted by buried pipes, etc. or inaccurate measurements. The curve as plotted will show a good estimate of the true ground system resistance in that case.

2. THE ASYMPTOTE VARIATION OF THE FALL OF POTENTIAL METHOD

P2length of wire added C2length of wire added

Step 6.

At each indicated P2 distance (determined in Step 5), insert the P2 probe, its lead extended by a fixed amount of wire as required. (NOTE: do not change length of wire during test.) Record amount and size of the wire used so its resistance can be subtracted. Using the Earth Tester, measure and record apparent ground system resistance at each of the 8 test points.

Ground tests of cellular infrastructure sites may at times seem to indicate a poor or insufficient ground. While it is certainly possible that the ground plan was inadequate for a particular site, it is important to be aware of the possibility of measurement errors that can result from the choice of an incorrect ground testing method, as opposed to those resulting from mistakes made in the actual reading of the meter itself. A fairly common error is caused by the use of the Fall of Potential method (described in paragraphs1 of this appendix) when the C1 to C2 distance is too small as compared to the overall dimensions of the site ground system. 2.2 BACKGROUND If the site ground system is of large size, the required C1 to C2 distance of 5 times the overall diameter of the ground system can become impractical, particularly as this is actually the minimum distance for reasonable accuracy (a distance of up to 10 times the diameter is preferable). In such a case, a variation of the Fall of Potential method, used by NASA and other government departments, can obtain very accurate results at much shorter (and practical) distances. This technique results in several incorrect ground resistance readings, obtained from a set of three normal Fall of Potential tests done as usual, except for the use of C2 positions which are too close to the site. These positions vary from very close to somewhat close. The resultant false ground values (they will be erroneously high) are then plotted on linear graph paper, and a bestfit, falling exponential curve, connecting each series 62% reading, is extrapolated out to its asymptote, or nearly flat value. This very closely approximates the true value of ground resistance.

Step 7.

NOTE
As mentioned in the Megger Earth Tester manual, a slightly slower or faster cranking speed of the generator will be required if the meter exhibits instability at a particular speed. This is due to stray, interfering 60 Hz power currents in the ground. Resistances should be measured only to the nearest tenth of an ohm. This precaution does not apply to battery operated versions of the Earth Tester.

16

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE The principle involved is that these false readings will tend towards an accurate value as the C1 to C2 distance increases, even though the proper distance is never achieved. The point at which the curve becomes flat (or nearly so) is a close approximation of that true value. An actual example of the results of both methods, performed on the same site and superimposed on the same graph is shown in Figure 9 (Appendix E). It can be seen that the two results closely agree. The method is explained in further detail in the following stepbystep procedure. 2.3 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS REQUIRED Equipment and material requirements are identical to those described in paragraph 1. Fall Of Potential Method (of this appendix). 2.4 DETAILED STEPS FOR USING THE ASYMPTOTE VARIATION Step 1. Choose three C2 points at convenient (but non trivial) distances, such as 100, 200, and 300 feet from the site center. Choose a direction that is free of obstructions (underground pipes, etc.). All measurements must lie along the same line. Select one of the C1 to C2 distances determined in Step 1 and take a series of readings with the P2 probe, at eight measured intervals representing 30, 40, 50, 55, 62, 65, 70, and 80 percent of each C2 distance. The procedure used for each series of measurements at a given C2 distance is the same as described in paragraph 1. Fall Of Potential Method (of this appendix). Again, all of these measurement points (both within a series, and each C2 point) must be in a straight line. Record the data. Step 4. Move the C2 rod to the next point, as determined in Step 1, and repeat the test of Step 3. Record the data. Repeat for each of the remaining points.

NOTE
Should additional wire be needed for the furthest measurement, it must be insulated #14 AWG or heavier. Make a clean, solid clamped connection to the C2/P2 test leads on the Earth Tester.

Step 5.

The length and gauge of any extension wire should be recorded. The resistance of this wire is then calculated and subtracted from the results. Plot the accumulated data (three curves) in the manner explained previously. Then plot the (curvefitted) 62% points (the false ground values) from each series in an exponential curve. The asymptote, or tangential value toward which this fourth curve tends, is easily seen. This represents the true ground system resistance.

Step 2.

Step 6.

Step 3.

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

17

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

18

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

APPENDIX B Document References

The following references were used in preparing this document, and provide further information on the subject of grounding. AC Service Grounding Engineering Application, GTE Practices section 795805072 Controlling Lightning Damage at Radio Sites, by Richard Little, Principle Staff Engineer, Motorola Radio Telephone Systems Group Electrical Protection Engineering Fundamentals, GTE Practices section 887000050 Electrical Protection Guide for LandBased Radio Facilities, Josyln Electronic Systems manual by David Boethe Electrical Protection of Radio Stations, Bell System Practices section 886030085 Electrical Considerations Radio Station Protection, GTE Practices section 887030085 Fundamental Considerations of Lightning Protection and Grounding, NASA/FAA publication # N7976935. U.S. Government Printing Office Getting Down to Earth, Biddle Instruments Grounding and Bonding, Volume 21988 P/O A Handbook Series on Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility, by Interference Control Technologies, Inc. The Grounds for Lightning and EMP Protection, by Roger Block, Polyphasor Corporation Grounding Cellular Installations, by Richard Little, Principal Staff Engineer, Motorola Radio Telephone Systems Group Grounding Guidelines for Cellular Radio, by Randy Thompson, Motorola Radio Telephone Systems Group Grounding Principles and Corrosion Protection, National Marine Electronics Association Technical Papers; Tinton Falls, NJ. Chapters Planning Marine HFSSB Systems and Selection and Installation of Marine Antenna Systems, by Karl M. Schulte, Motorola RadioTelephone Systems Group Lightning Protection Code, National Fire Protection Association (ANSI/NFPA 781989) National Electrical Code, National Fire Protection Association (ANSI/NFPA 701990) Protective Grounding Systems General Equipment Ground Requirements for Microwave Radio and Auxiliary Stations, Bell System Practices section 802001197 Radio and Microwave Towers Bonding and Grounding Network Installation, GTE Practices section 621800200 Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures, Electronic Industries Association standard number RS222 Telecommunications Engineering and Construction Manual, Section 825 (Situations Requiring Special Protection), and Section 810 (Electrical Protection of Electronic Analog and Digital Central Office Equipment), Rural Electrification Administration. Western Electric Installation Engineering Handbook 261

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

19

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

20

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

APPENDIX C Galvanic Corrosion

The bonding of two metals may result in Galvanic corrosion. This reaction occurs at the junction of dissimilar metals when exposed to moisture. The degree and rate of corrosion depends on the relative position of the metals in the electromechanical series. Following is a chart depicting this series. The metals at the top of the chart will corrode more easily than those at the bottom. To determine the likelihood of two metals reacting, determine the difference between their listed EMFs. If it is greater than 0.6 volts, the metals are too dissimilar to be bonded. If the difference is 0.6 volts or less, the metals may be safely bonded. METAL Magnesium Magnesium Alloys Beryllium Aluminum Zinc Chromium Iron or Steel Cast Iron Cadmium Nickel Tin Stainless Steel Lead Brass Copper Bronze CopperNickel Alloys Monel Silver Solder Silver Graphite Platinum Gold * Reliable values N/A EMF (Volts) +2.37 +0.95 +1.85 +1.66 +0.76 +0.74 +0.44 * +0.40 +0.25 +0.14 * +0.13 * 0.34 * 0.35 * 0.45 0.80 0.50 1.20 1.50

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

21

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

22

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

APPENDIX D Grounding Checklists

The following is contains checklists to be used to facilitate the inspection of site grounding. For additional details, refer to the main body of this document. For unique grounding situations, contact Systems Engineering for consultation. KEY: EGB EGR IGB External Ground Bar External Ground Ring Isolated Ground Bar IGR IGZ MGB Isolated Ground Ring Isolated Ground Zone Master Ground Bar

GENERAL:

All bends in ground wires are to have a minimal 8inch bending radius. AC surge protector to be installed on the load side of the main ac disconnect. AC to tower lighting to be surge protected. IGZ cable tray to be isolated from all other cable trays. IGZ cable tray to be isolated from all casual contacts with ground. No ground wires in metal conduit unless conduit is bonded to ground at both ends. Table 1. External Site Grounding Checklist
DESCRIPTION All Sites (MTSO And Cell) Require: Connections to the EGR (External Ground Ring): CONDUCTOR CONNECTION

ITEM

1 2 3 4

EGB IGR (each corner and every 16 feet between) ground rods (every 16 feet) and under EGB MGB All Cell Sites Require: Connections to the EGR (External Ground Ring):

Note 2 #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid

CADWELD CADWELD CADWELD CADWELD

1 2 1 2 3 4 1 2

tower ground ring (2 connections recommended) lightning arrestor bracket Connections to the tower: from tower ground ring top of rf lines rf lines at exit from tower guy wire to ground rods (guyed towers only) Connections to the tower ring: from tower leg(s) from EGR (2 connections recommended) Miscellaneous external grounding connections (connect to nearest point of external system):

#2 solid #2 solid #2 solid ground kit ground kit #2 stranded #2 solid #2 solid

mechanical CADWELD CADWELD mechanical mechanical mechanical CADWELD CADWELD

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3

metal fencing within 7 feet metal building parts fuel storage tanks utility grounding electrode systems metal objects more than 2 ft. sq. and within 7 ft. reinforcing bar in concrete floor (if accessible) building skids or anchors (if accessible) exterior cable tray, ice bridge generator grounding system (if applicable) generator chassis (if not otherwise grounded) Connections to the EGB (External Ground Bar): waveguide entry window rf line ground kits at building entry EGR

#2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 solid #2 stranded #2 stranded #2 solid

Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 Note 1 mechanical mechanical CADWELD

NOTES: 1. All below ground connections must be exothermic. Above ground connections may be mechanical. 2. Either two #2 AWG solid wires or one 2inch x 1/16inch copper strap must be used.

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

23

Table 2.
ITEM n

Internal Site Grounding Checklist

CONDUCTOR CONNECTION

DESCRIPTION Connections to the MGB (Master Ground Bar):

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

racks containing rf equipment waveguide entry window RMC (receiver multicoupler) telephone protector grounding terminal generator chassis (if not otherwise grounded) channel bank racks EGR metal water utility pipe multigrounded neutral building steel (if accessible) IGR IGB ground bar of +24 Vdc power system ground bar of 48 Vdc power system Connections to the IGR (Internal Ground Ring):

#6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #2 solid #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #2 stranded #2 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded

mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

all racks not grounded to MGB or IGB ventilation louvers and ducts cell site cable tray (multiple points) metal door and window frames metal battery racks Halon system transfer switch enclosure miscellaneous significant metal objects EGR (every 16 ft.) MGB Connections to the IGB (Internal Ground Bar):

#6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #2 solid #2 stranded

mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

MGB cellular switch frame grounds from ac outlets in the IGZ IGZ cable tray (one point only) IGZ distribution frame modem frame other EMX associated frames

#2 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded #6 stranded

mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical mechanical

24

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

APPENDIX E Reference Diagrams

The following is a table of contents for Appendix E.

DIAGRAM Figure 1. Ground System Testing Fall of Potential Method Figure 2. External Ground Window Detail Figure 3. Example of Typical Collocated Cell/MTSO Site Ground Plan Figure 4. Typical Monopole Grounding Figure 5. Typical Master Ground Bar Connections (for Smaller Sites) Figure 6. Typical Cell Site Ground Plan Figure 7. Tower Base and Guy Wire Grounding Details Figure 8. Example of Ufer Grounding Plan Figure 9. Ground System Testing; Fall of Potential Asymptote Method Figure 10. Representative Ground Bars Figure 11. AC Power Utility Grounding Figure 12. AC Outlet Grounding in the Isolated Ground Zone Figure 13. Making CADWELD Connections Figure 14. CADWELD Connection Styles: CabletoCable/CabletoRod Figure 15. CADWELD Connection Styles: CabletoSurface

PAGE 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

7/23/92

68P81150E62A

25

26
TYPICAL RESULTS
62% POINT C2 P2 (FEET)

Figure 1.
P2 PROBE TEST POINTS

Ground System Testing Fall of Potential Method

68P81150E62A
P2 P2 ETC. ORIGINAL TEST LEADS TEST GND STAKES #12#14 INS #12#14 INS

SITE

C2

C1 CLAMPED TO G.U.T. CENTER P2 P1 C2

C1

MEGGER EARTH TESTER

[Link]

7/23/92

7/23/92
NOTE 1 NOTE 4 NOTE 2 NOTE 3 NOTES: 1. MICROFLECT OR SIMILAR TRANSMISSION LINE FEED THRU/ENTRY WINDOW. 2. EXTERNAL GROUND BAR. 3. COPPER GROUND STRAP (1/16T X 2W X 15L) CADWELDED TO THE GROUND WINDOW AND THE GROUND RING OUTSIDE THE BUILDING. (TRIM EXCESS LENGTH; LEAVE ONE INCH SLACK). 4. ALL TRANSMISSION LINES TO BE INDIVIDUALLY GROUNDED TO THE EXTERNAL GROUND BAR BY GROUND KITS USING THE STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE SUPPLIED. 5. USE LEC 1TAH MOLD WITH L160 HANDLE AND #45 WELD METAL(CADWELD TO CONNECT COPPER STRAP TO EXTERNAL GROUND RING. 6. ONLY ONE RF CABLE SHOWN FOR CLARITY. 7. CADWELD IS A TRADEMARK OF ERICO PRODUCTS. )

NOTE 6

ANDREWS GROUND KIT

Figure 2.

External Ground Window Detail

68P81150E62A
NOTES 3,5 GROUND RING EXTERNAL

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

[Link]

27

IDF CB IGB TELCO BLOCK NOTE 1

. .. . .. .. .... .. . .. . . ... . . . .. .. . . . ... ... .. .... NOTE 4 ... ... .... . .. . .. . .. .. .... .. . .... AC POWER CONDUIT . TO ISOLATED OUTLETS .... ... ... ..... .. 48V BATTERY TTY NOTE 3 TO MGB PB

TO MGB . . .. . . ... . . . .. . . . ... ... .. .... ... ... .... . .. . .. . NOTES: .. ... .. 1. AN IDF OR CHANNEL BANK MAY BE PART OF IGZ ONLY IF IT .. . . .. .. CONTAINS NO CONNECTIONS TO OUTSIDE METALLIC . .... CONDUCTORS. ... ... . . .. . .. 2. ORANGECODED, ISOLATED A.C. POWER OUTLETS FOR IGZ: THESE WILL HAVE THEIR GREEN WIRE GROUND CONNECTED TO IGB ONLY. 3. ALL IGZ EQUIPMENT. TTYS SCOPES, ETC. MUST USE THE IGZ ORANGE ISOLATED AC OUTLETS.

TO IGB (SEE NOTE 1) GND TO TOP OF RACK

TO MGB

NOTE 2 GMU CCB SWB NUM TAPE CEB ASB

MODEM MODEM BAY BAY

HALON/ALARMS

4. LOCAL AC DISCONNECT BREAKER PANEL FOR IGZ: THIRD WIRE GROUND FROM ISOLATED OUTLETS TERMINATES ON ISOLATED GROUND BUS WHICH THEN CONNECTS TO IGB. THE THIRD WIRE GROUND FROM THE MAIN BREAKER PANEL TERMINATES ONLY TO THE LOCAL BREAKER PANEL ENCLOSURE.

TO IGZ AC PANEL NOTE 2 .. .. .. . ... . .. . .. .. .. . .... ...... .... . .. .. . . .. ... . .. . .. .. ... .... .... .. .... . .. NOTE 2 IGR

Example of Typical Collocated Cell/MTSO Site Ground Plan

5. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE AC MAIN ENTRY PANEL, THE RF ENTRY WINDOW, AND THE TELCO MDF/ENTRY BE LOCATED CLOSE TO THE MGB. . . ... ...... ... . ... ... . . . .. ... . .. . .. .. ... .... ... ... .... . ..

LEGEND:

EGR GMU

EXTERNAL GROUND RING GROUP MULTIPLEXER BAY

KEY ISOLATED A.C. OUTLETS GROUND BAR [Link]

ASB BS CB CCB CEB EGB IGZ MDF MW NUM

ALARM STATUS BAY BASE STATION CHANNEL BANK CHANNEL COORDINATION BAY COMMON EQUIPMENT BAY EXTERNAL GROUND BAR

ISOLATED GROUND ZONE MAIN DISTRIBUTION FRAME MICROWAVE BAY NUMBER PROCESSING BAY

PB RECT SWB TAPE TTY

POWER BOARD RECTIFIERS SWITCH BAY TAPE DRIVE BAY TELETYPE MACHINE

. . . . .. ...... ... . ... ... . . . .. ... . .. . .. .. ... .... ...... .... . ..

28
MAIN AC POWER PANEL (NOTE 5) IGR MGB TELCO MDF (NOTE 5) TO MGB TO IGR TO IGR RECT BS TO MGB AUX AC CONDUIT TO MAIN PANEL #2 AWG GREEN TO WATER MAIN, AC MGN (#2 AWG), AND BUILDING STEEL BS MOVABLE SHELVING BS BS RECT IDF TO IGR BS BS MW TO IGR PB TO MGB 24V BAT DISCONNECT 24V BATT

.. . .. . . . . ... ... .. .... . .. . . . .... .. . .. .. ... . . .. . .. .. . .... . ..

Figure 3.

A/C

68P81150E62A

7/23/92

7/23/92
(CELL SITE AREA) INTERNAL GROUND RING (#2 AWG BARE) RF CABLES MGB EGB STRAP NOTE 2 NOTE 3 NOTES: 1. IN NORMAL SOIL, GROUND RODS ARE 8 (5/8) COPPER CLAD AS INDICATED. MONOPOLE 2. ALL EXTERIOR GROUND WIRE IS #2 AWG BARE, TINNED SOLID COPPER AND IS TO BE BURIED 180 TO 240 BELOW SURFACE, EXCEPT JUMPERS TO FENCE, WHICH MAY BE #6 AWG. NOTE 1 3. GROUNDING CONDUCTORS FROM WITHIN THE SITE BUILDING ARE TO BE PASSED THROUGH LOCALLY PURCHASED PVC OF APPROPRIATE SIZE AND SEALED. NOTE 2 4. WITHIN RF CABLE LOSS PARAMETERS, AND WHEN CHOICE EXISTS, MONOPOLE SHOULD BE FURTHER THAN 100 FROM BUILDING.

INTERNAL

GROUND RING

(#2 AWG BARE)

NOTE 3

Figure 4.

Typical Monopole Grounding

68P81150E62A EXTERNAL GROUND SYSTEM: MONOPOLE GROUNDING

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

[Link]

29

30
P SECTION MGB SURGE PRODUCERS NON SURGING EQUIPMENT 2 HOLE LUG LOCKWASHER SPECIFIC LEADS TO BE LOCATED IN EACH SECTION OF MGB SURGE ABSORBERS IGZ EQUIPMENT A SECTION N SECTION I SECTION 1. TO EGR 2. TO MGN (AT AC ENTRY PANEL) 3. TO BUILDING STEEL (IF APPLICABLE). 3. TO 48V POWER PLANT GROUND BAR. LOCKWASHER 4. TO WATER PIPE (IF APPLICABLE). 2. TO +24V POWER PLANT GROUND BAR. 2. TO IGB2 (IF APPLICABLE). 1. LEADS TO IGR. 1. TO IGB1. DETAIL A LEGEND EGR EXTERNAL GROUND RING IGB INTERNAL GROUND BAR IGZ ISOLATED GROUND ZONE MDF MAIN DISTRIBUTION FRAME MGB MASTER GROUND BAR MGN MULTIGROUNDED NEUTRAL [Link]

Figure 5.

SEE NOTE 3

MGB

1. LEADS TO EACH RF RACK, INCLUDING CELLULAR BASE STATIONS, MULTI

Typical Master Ground Bar Connections (for Smaller Sites)

68P81150E62A

COUPLERS, MICROWAVE RACKS.

2. TO MDF PROTECTOR GROUND (IF APP LICABLE). 3. WAVEGUIDE ENTRY WINDOW. 4. EMERGENCY GENERATOR CHASSIS. 5. CHANNEL BANKS.

NOTES: 1. USE 2HOLE LUGS ON ALL LEADS TO MGB. 2. USE ONLY STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE WITH SUITABLE LOCK WASHERS. SEE DETAIL A. 3. MGB SECTIONS SIZED ACCORDING TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LEADS REQUIRED THERE (i.e., P SECTION IS USUALLY THE LARGEST SECTION). 4. DO NOT MOUNT TWO OR MORE LUGS WITH THE SAME TWO BOLTS. 5. REFER TO FIGURE 10 ([Link]) FOR EXAMPLES OF VARIOUS MGBS.

7/23/92

7/23/92
GENERATOR FLASHOVER PREVENTION SAFETY JUMPER BURIED #2 AWG CONNECT TO REBAR EGR (SEE NOTE 1,2) INSULATING (PVC, ETC.) FEED THRU IGR, #2 AWG BARE COPPER WIRE NOTE 5 RF CABLE ENTRY GROUND BAR MIN. 8 RADIUS ALL CORNERS IGR MGB TOWER CONNECTION TO BUILDING/FOUNDATION REBAR TOWER GROUND RING NOTE 1,2 MGB LEGEND EGR EXTERNAL GROUND RING INTERNAL GROUND RING MASTER GROUND BAR NOTE 5 MIN. 24 OPTIONAL, BURIED 15 RADIALS NOTE 3 EXTERNAL GROUND RING (EGR)(NOTE 1,2) TOWER LEG PVC OR EQUIVALENT MIN. DEPTH=18 GROUND ROD [Link] INSET A

Figure 6.

Typical Cell Site Ground Plan

68P81150E62A

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

SECURITY FENCE NOTES: 1. TOWER AND BUILDING GROUND RINGS ARE TO BE BURIED MINIMUM 18. 2. ALL GROUND RINGS MADE OF #2 AWG BARE, TINNED, SOLID COPPER WIRE. 3. MINIMUM 8 GROUND RODS, SPACED MINIMUM 15 AND AT EACH CORNER PLUS BENEATH RF CABLE ENTRY AREA. 4. ALL GROUND RODS ARE COPPER CLAD STEEL; TOP OF ROD TO BE DRIVEN TO MINIMUM 18 BENEATH SURFACE. 5. ALL LEADS GOING FROM TOWER LEGS TO GROUND RODS TO BE INSULATED TO TOP GROUND ROD BY PLASTIC PIPE, SEE INSET A AND FIGURE 7 ([Link]).

31

32
CADWELD(TM) NOTE 1 1. PVC MIN. 12 DEEP 2. #2 AWG BARE, TINNED, SOLID COPPER WIRE. GROUND RING TO BE BURIED 1824, AND 24 FROM [Link] MIN. 8 COPPERCLAD 5/8 STEEL GROUND ROD. CADWELD IS A TRADEMARK OF ERICO INC. NOTES: 3. 4. MIN. 18 TOWER LEG NOTE 1,2 SELFSUPPORT TOWER GROUNDING CADWELD(TM) GUYS GALVANIZED CLAMP TINNED, SOLID MIN. #2 AWG COPPER WIRE; PORTION NEAR GUYS SHOULD BE GREASED OR PAINTED TO PREVENT CORROSION OF GUY WIRE CONCRETE NOTE 3 GUYED TOWER GROUNDING 8 GROUND ROD SEE ALSO NOTE 3 NOTE 3 PVC, MIN 12 DEEP GROUND RING; NOTE 1,2 CADWELD(TM) PVC PIPE 12 DEEP GUY ANCHOR GROUNDING [Link]

Figure 7.

Tower Base and Guy Wire Grounding Detail

68P81150E62A

#6 GALV. JUMPERS

7/23/92

7/23/92
NOTES: 1. LENGTH AND NUMBER OF UFER GROUND RADIALS ARE

UFER GROUND
APPROXIMATED BECAUSE OF THE UNKOWN SOIL. SURFACE 18 WIRE 6 (ROCK/DIRT) NOTE 2 STAKES CONCRETE ON ALL SIDES. 46

CONDUCTION/RESISTANCE OF THE SURROUNDING ROCK/

2. UFER RADIAL WIRES TO BE SUPPORTED 46 ABOVE BOTTOM OF TRENCH TO ASSURE ADEQUATE THICKNESS OF

CONCRETE

3. ALL EGR/IGR JUMPERS TO BE PASSED THROUGH NON CONDUCTIVE PIPE SUCH AS PVC. 4. THESE TWO UFER RADIALS ARE OPTIONAL; USE ONLY IF GROUND SYSTEM RESISTANCE IS OVER 10 OHMS W/O THEM. 5. IF CONDITIONS PERMIT, SUPPLEMENTAL GROUND RODS SHOULD BE SUNK AS WELL, PARTICULARLY IN NORTHERN CLIMATES TO ALLEVIATE EFFECTS OF GROUND FROST. RECOMMENDED POINTS ARE INDICATED BY , WITH THE TOWER BASE AND THE POINT BENEATH THE GROUND BARS BEING THE MOST IMPORTANT SITES.

TRENCH

Figure 8.
NOTE 4 APPROX. 20 BUILDING APPROX 2 COPPER GROUND WIRE, #2 AWG. INTERNAL MAIN/MASTER GROUND BAR INTERNAL GROUND RING (HALO) (APPRX 8 HIGH) TRENCH (DASHES)

UFER GROUND RADIALS

6. UFER IS THE NAME OF THE ENGINEER WHO DEVELOPED THIS GROUNDING SYSTEM.

Example of Ufer Grounding Plan

68P81150E62A
EXTERNAL GROUND WINDOW BAR NOTE 3 WIRE MESH FOUNDATION NOTE 4

MIN. 8 RADIUS ALL CORNERS

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

TOWER

[Link]

33

34 GROUND SYSTEM TESTING

FALL OF POTENTIALASYMPTOTE VARIATION (SAMPLE GRAPH OF METHOD, W/ CONTROL CURVE)

Figure 9.
50
NOTE: WITH C2 PROBE TOO CLOSE TO SITE, THESE 62% POINTS SHOW INCORRECT GROUND RESISTANCE AS THEY ARE INFLUENCED BY THE GROUND TERMINALS LOCAL EFFECTS. HOWEVER THE TREND TOWARDS TRUTH CAN BE EXTRAPOLATED WITH AN ASYMPTOTIC CURVE.

40

O H M S
X

30

20

THIS RESULT OBTAINED BY USING THE STANDARD FALL OF POTENTIAL METHOD. THIS SERIES SHOWS TRUE SYSTEM GROUND AS 2.5 OHMS +/ 10%. IT WAS DONE AS A CONTROL AND TO DEMONSTRATE THE ACCURACY OF THE ASYMPTOTE VARIATION OF THE FALL OF POTENTIAL METHOD. ON A LARGER SITE, THE REQUIRED DISTANCE WOULD BE IMPRACTICALLY LARGE, THUS THE USE OF 3 SHORTER DISTANCE MEASUREMENTS TO SHOW THE TREND.

Ground System Testing; Fall of Potential Asymptote Method

10
X X X X X X ASYMPTOTE X DESIRED GROUND RESISTANCE X

68P81150E62A 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

~ =
400

3 OHMS

450

500

(P2 DISTANCE IN FEET)

DISTANCE, SITE CENTER TO C2 PROBE INDICATED AS SHOWN BELOW: 80 5 OHMS X 240 160 320

[Link]

7/23/92

7/23/92
11/8 TYP 1/4 x 8 x 24 COPPER 6 NOTES: 1. LUGS ARE NOT INCLUDED. 2. SEE ALSO FIGURE 2 ([Link]) (EXTERNAL GROUND WINDOW DETAIL). 3/8 TYPE A 21/2 4 1/4 x 4 x 20 COPPER 11/8 TYP 21/2 15/8 3/4 7/16 2 4 1 20 TYPE B 1/4

13/4

Figure 10.

Representative Ground Bars

68P81150E62A

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

TYPE C

[Link]

35

36
MAIN AC DISCONNECT PANEL AC SURGE PROTECTOR L1 L2 GROUND L2 L1 TO AC DISTRIBUTION PANEL L1 L2 GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCH NEUTRAL UNSWITCHED NEUTRAL NOTE 4 NOTE 3 NOTE 1 FROM EMERGENCY GENERATOR TO MGB CONNECTION TO EGR NOTE 2 [Link]

MGN

Figure 11.

AC Power Utility Grounding

68P81150E62A

1. INSTALLED BY LOCAL POWER AUTHORITY. 2. INSTALLED BY FACILITY OWNER. 3. THE NEUTRAL IS TO BE GROUNDED AT THE SERVICE ENTRANCE ONLY. AT ALL OTHER POINTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, IT IS TO REMAIN INSULATED FROM ALL OTHER GROUNDS. 4. IF NEUTRAL IS SWITCHED IN THE GENERATOR TRANSFER

PANEL, THE GENERATOR MUST HAVE ITS OWN GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM.

7/23/92

7/23/92
MAIN AC DISTRIBUTION PANEL L1 L2 ISOLATED GROUND ZONE DISTRIBUTION PANEL NOTE 2 NEUTRAL NEUTRAL N E U T R A L GROUND GROUND NOTE 1 GROUND MGB IGB NOTES: 1. THIS GROUND BAR IS TO BE ISOLATED FROM THE PANEL ENCLOSURE. ITS ONLY CONNECTION TO GROUND IS THROUGH THE IGB AS ILLUSTRATED. 2. ALL OUTLETS IN THE ISOLATED GROUND ZONE ARE TO BE OF THE ORANGE COLORCODED TYPE, WITH GROUNDS ISOLATED FROM THE OUTLET ENCLOSURE.

MAIN AC DISCONNECT PANEL

Figure 12.

GROUND

NEUTRAL

AC Outlet Grounding in the Isolated Ground Zone

68P81150E62A

CONNECTION TO EGR

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

[Link]

37

38
starter material graphite mold CADWELD weld metal cable steel holding disk

mold clamp

Figure 13.
cleaned cables to be joined slag breaks off ground rod slag

graphite mold

Making CADWELD Connections

68P81150E62A
A completed cooling CADWELD joint

NOTE: CADWELD IS A REGISTERED TRADE MARK OF ERICO PRODUCTS, INC.

CADWELD Connection

The CADWELD Connection cutaway view

molecular bonding

cable sleeved by CADWELD metal

melted copper and wires now form one piece

7/23/92

[Link]

7/23/92 TYPE TA TYPE PC TYPE GR,GT,NT

Parallel tap connection of horizontal cables. Tee of horizontal run and tap cables.

Figure 14.

TYPE SS

Splice of horizontal cables.

& NX
One Shot Mold.

CADWELD Connection Styles: CabletoCable/CabletoRod

68P81150E62A
splice.

TYPE GB

Ground rod

TYPE GR
Cable tap to top of ground rod.

TYPE GT
Through cable to top of ground rod.

TYPE NC
Through and tap cables, to ground rod.

GROUNDING GUIDELINE

NOTE: 1. CADWELD IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ERICO PRODUCTS, INC.

[Link]

39

40
TYPE HA TYPE VS TYPE VB
Cable tap down to vertical steel surface or pipe. Cable tap down at 45 degrees to vertical steel surface or side of horizontal or vertical pipe. Horizontal cable tap to horizontal steel surface or pipe. Cable on surface.

Figure 15.

CADWELD Connection Styles: CabletoSurface

68P81150E62A TYPE GL LUG

Copper lug to cable .

TYPE LA LUG

NOTE: 1. CADWELD IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ERICO PRODUCTS, INC.

[Link]

7/23/92