ANSI-J-STD-607-A

Harger Lightning & Grounding

Purpose

The purpose of this presentation is to

give the user a better understanding
of the requirements set forth by
ANSI-J-STD-607-A, Commercial
Building Grounding (Earthing) and
Bonding Requirements for
Telecommunications
 ANSI J-STD-607-A
This standards specifies the
requirements for a uniform
telecommunications grounding
and bonding infrastructure
that shall be followed within
commercial buildings where
telecommunications
equipment will be installed.
Telecommunications

Definition:
All forms of information that are
conveyed within the building, for
example voice, data, video,
environmental control, security, audio,
etc.
 Telecommunications
Grounding Infrastructure
Large Building Scope

Large Commercial Buildings

 Telecommunications Grounding Infrastructure
Small Building Scope

Small Commercial Buildings

 Main Elements of Telecomm Grounding
and Bonding Structures

Telecomm Main Grounding Busbar (TMGB)

Telecomm Bonding Conductor (TBC)

Telecomm Bonding Backbone (TBB)

Telecomm Grounding Busbar (TGB)

Grounding Equalizer, (Formerly TBBIBC)

Telecommunications Main Grounding Busbar (TMGB)
 Telecommunications Main Grounding Busbar (TMGB)

Serves as the dedicated extension of the building grounding

electrode system for the telecommunications infrastructure.
Also serves as the central attachment point for the
telecommunications bonding backbone (TBB) and equipment.
Typically 1 per building.
 TMGB Requirements

Have minimum dimensions of thick, 4 wide and

variable in length
Be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory
Shall be insulated from its support by a minimum of 2
Located so that it is accessible to telecommunications
personnel
The busbar shall be cleaned prior to fastening of
conductors and an anti-oxidant should be applied to
the contact area to control corrosion and reduce
contact resistance
 Connections to TMGB/TGB
1

Surface
Preparation

Mechanical
Connection

Antioxidant
Applied
 Connections to the TMGB

Panel Board Alternating Current

Electrical Ground (ACEG)
Metallic Raceways
TBC
TBB
 Panelboard

5.2.6.1 Where a panelboard (electrical

power panel) is located in the same
room or space as the TMGB that
panelboards alternating current
equipment ground (ACEG) bus (when
equipped) or the panelboard enclosure
shall be bonded to the TMGB.

5.2.6.2 The TMGB shall be as close to

the panelboard as practicable and shall
be installed to maintain clearances
required by applicable electrical codes.
 Panel Board

The standard does not

specify what size
conductor to use when
bonding the panel board
to the TMGB. We
recommend a minimum
of #6 AWG and a
maximum length of 13
 Conductor Connections to the TMGB

5.2.7.1 The connections of the bonding conductor for

telecommunications and the TBB to the TMGB shall utilize
exothermic welding, listed compression lugs, suitable and
equivalent one hole non-twisting lugs, or other irreversible
compression type connections. Two-hole lugs are preferred.

5.2.7.2 The connections of the bonding telecommunications

equipment to the TMGB shall utilize exothermic welding, listed
compression lugs, or other irreversible compression type
connections. Two-hole lugs are preferred.
2-Hole Compression Lugs

Although theyre only

recommended by the
standard and not required,
we strongly advocate their
use
2-hole lugs offer more
surface area than a 1-hole
lug
2-hole lugs are much less
apt to loosen over time
versus a 1-hole lug
 Compression Lugs

Long Barrel

Inspection Port

2-Holes
Connection Process

Trim insulation back so that

bared conductor is slightly
longer than barrel.
Connection Process

Insert conductor so that it

Butts up against end of barrel.
View this thru inspection port.
Connection Process

2 crimp minimum

Make sure end of conductor

remains at end of barrel;
make first crimp,
repeat crimping process
Connection Process

2 Crimp Minimum
Metallic Raceways/Equipment Racks

All metallic raceways for

telecommunications cabling
located within the same room
or space as the TMGB shall be
bonded to the TMGB. However,
for metallic pathways
containing grounding
conductors where the pathway
is bonded to the grounding
conductor, no additional bond
to the TMGB is required.
Bonding Metallic Raceways/Equipment Racks

Locate an area on the rack or raceway to attach a

bonding conductor. This location should have
adequate access while providing minimal
obstruction to rack mounted equipment.
Remove any paint, oxidation and dust from the
surface using a grinding tool.
Apply a generous coating of aluminum Antioxidant
Joint Compound to the mounting surface.
Attach bonding conductor using a two-hole
compression lug and stainless steel hardware.
Wipe off any excess antioxidant material.
 Other Attachments to the TMGB

The primary protector grounding conductor shall be

connected to the TMGB. This conductor is intended
to conduct lightning and ac fault currents from the
telecommunication primary protectors. A minimum of
300 mm (1 ft) separation shall be maintained
between this insulated conductor and any dc power
cable, switchboard cable, or high frequency cables,
even when placed in rigid metal conduit or EMT.
 Other Attachments to the TMGB

When the outside plant cable in the TEF incorporate

a cable shield isolation gap, the cable shield on the
building side of the gap shall be bonded to the
TMGB.
In buildings where the backbone cable incorporates a
shield or metallic member, this shield or metallic
member shall be bonded to the TMGB or TGB.
 Bonding Conductor for Telecommunications

5.3.1 The bonding conductor

for telecommunications shall
bond the TMGB to the
service equipment (power)
ground.

5.3.2 The bonding conductor

for telecommunications shall
be, as a minimum, the same
size as the
Telecommunications
Bonding Backbone
Conductor (TBB).
 Telecomm Bonding Conductor
(Bond to Electrical Service Ground)
Telecommunications Bonding Backbone (TBB)

The TBB is a
conductor that
interconnects all
TGBs with the TMGB
Originates at the
TMGB extends
throughout the
building using the
telecommunications
backbone pathways,
and connects to the
TGBs in all TBB
telecommunications
rooms and
equipment rooms.
 TBB Function

The intended function of a TBB is to reduce

or equalize potential differences between
telecommunications systems. While the
TBB will carry some current under ac
power ground fault conditions, it is not
intended to provide the only ground fault
return path.
 TBB Material Requirements

The TBB shall be a copper conductor. The minimum TBB

conductor size shall be a No. 6 AWG. The TBB should be
sized at 2 kcmil per linear foot of conductor length up to
a maximum of 3/0 AWG.
The TBB may be insulated; if the TBB is insulated, the
insulation shall meet the fire ratings of its pathway.
The sizing of the TBB is not intended to account for the
reduction or control of electromagnetic interference.
 TBB Installation Requirements

The TBB conductors should be installed without splices.

Where splices are necessary, the number of splices
should be a minimum and they shall be accessible and
located in telecommunications spaces. Joined segments
of a TBB shall be connected using exothermic welding,
irreversible compression-type connectors, or equivalent.
 Conductor Sizing

Applies to TBB, GE & TBC

 TBB no-nos

The interior water piping system of the building

shall not be used as a TBB.
The metallic cable shield shall not be used as a
TBB.
 Grounding Equalizer

Conductor that connects elements of the telecommunications grounding

infrastructure. (Formerly TBBIBC).
Interconnects multiple TBBs on the top floor and every 3rd floor in between
Follows same sizing requirements as the TBB.
 Telecommunications Grounding Busbar (TGB)

The TGB is the grounding connection point for telecommunications

systems and equipment in the area served by that telecommunications
room or equipment room.
The TGB shall have minimum dimensions of thick by 2 wide and
variable in length.
Shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
 Connections to the TGB

5.5.2.1 The TBBs and other TGBs within the

same space shall be bonded to the TGB with a
conductor the same size as the TBB.
5.2.6.1 Where a panelboard (electrical power
panel) is located n the same room or space as
the TMGB that panelboards alternating current
equipment ground (ACEG) bus (when
equipped) or the panelboard enclosure shall be
bonded to the TMGB.
 Connections to the TGB

The TGB shall be bonded to the GE

where required (Top Floor and
every 3rd floor in between).

All metallic raceways for

telecommunications cabling located
within the same room or space as
the TGB shall be bonded to the TGB

Connections of the TBB and the GE

to the TGB shall utilize exothermic TGB
weld connections, listed
compression two hole lug
connectors, suitable and equivalent
one-hole non-twisting lugs or other
irreversible compression type
connectors. Two-hole connectors
are preferred.
 Other Attachments to the TGB

Multiple TGBs may be installed within the same

telecommunications room to aid in minimizing bonding
conductor lengths and terminating space. In all cases, multiple
TGBs within a room shall be bonded together with a conductor
the same size as the TBB or with splice bars.

In buildings where the backbone telecommunications cabling

incorporates a shield or metallic member, this shield or metallic
member shall be bonded to the TGB where the cables are
terminated or where pairs are broken out.

Short metallic pathways (e.g. wall and floor sleeves) are not
required to be bonded.
 Bonding to the Metal Building Frame

In a metal frame (structural steel) building, where the steel

framework is readily accessible within or external to the room;
each TGB and TMGB shall be bonded t the vertical steel metal
frame using a minimum No. 6 AWG conductor.

When practicable because of shorter distances and, where

horizontal steel members are permanently electrically bonded to
vertical column members, the TGB may be bonded to these
horizontal members in lieu of the vertical column members.
 Summary

For over the past hour, we have

presented a large amount of
information concerning grounding and
bonding, hopefully some of it was
informative. If there are other issues
you would like addressed, please
contact us. Thank you for your time.