FAA-STD-019d

August 9, 2002

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION STANDARD

LIGHTNING AND SURGE PROTECTION,

GROUNDING, BONDING AND SHIELDING
REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITIES AND
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
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 FOREWORD

This document mandates standard configurations and procedures for lightning protection, surge
and transient protection, grounding, bonding and shielding. All construction of Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) operatio nal facilities and the electronic equipment installed therein shall
conform to this standard. This document defines minimum requirements for all FAA facilities.
The specific needs of any facility may exceed these minimum requirements. These needs may
be influenced by the equipment to be installed at the site, the configuration of the structures and
location of the equipment, and by the physical environment present at the location.

The interface between contractor owned equipment or electronic equipment not used for
operational purposes (administrative local area network (LAN), administrative telephone, etc.)
and the operational facility shall be in accordance with this document. This standard applies to
new construction and modifications to existing facilities, particularly when required for the
installation of electronic equipment.

The use of shall in this document indicates mandatory compliance. However, in certain cases it
may not be technically feasible to implement certain requirements. In these cases, a National
Airspace System (NAS) Change Proposal (NCP) must be submitted with adequate justification
and technical documentation and approved by the NAS Configuration Control Board (CCB)
before a deviation is permitted.

This standard contains six sections. Section 1 details the scope and purpose of the standard.
Section 2 lists reference documents. Section 3 gives requirements for surge and transient
protection, lightning protection, the EES (EES), the electronic multipoint ground system (MPG),
the electronic single point ground system (SPG), and National Electrical Code (NEC)
compliance. Section 4 provides quality assurance requirements. Section 5, “Preparation for
Delivery”, does not apply to this document. Section 6 contains notes, definitions, acronyms, and
abbreviations.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS ...............................................................................................3

2.1 Government Documents .............................................................................................................................................. 3

2.2 Non-Government Documents ..................................................................................................................................... 4

3. REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................7
3.1 Surge and Transient Protection Requirements ..................................................................................................... 7
3.1.1 General ..........................................................................................................................................................................7
3.1.2 Existing Electronic Equipment Designs..................................................................................................................7
3.2 External Lines and Cables .......................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.1 Fiber Optic Lines .........................................................................................................................................................8
3.2.2 Balanced Pair Lines.....................................................................................................................................................8
3.2.3 Ferrous Conduit ...........................................................................................................................................................8
3.2.4 Buried Guard Wires ....................................................................................................................................................9
3.2.5 Armored Cable (Direct Earth Burial (DEB) Type) ...............................................................................................9
3.2.6 Existing Metallic Conduit, Conductors and Cables...............................................................................................9
3.3 Interior Lines and Cables ............................................................................................................................................ 9

3.4 Electronic Equipment Transient Susceptibility Levels .....................................................................................10

3.5 Conducted Power Line Surges.................................................................................................................................10

3.5.1 Surge Levels ...............................................................................................................................................................10
3.5.2 Facility AC Surge Protective Device .....................................................................................................................11
3.5.3 Surge Protective Devices for Distribution and Branch Panels ..........................................................................13
3.5.4 Electronic Equipment Power Entrance ..................................................................................................................13
3.5.5 DC Power Supply Transient Suppression.............................................................................................................14

3.6 Conducted Signal, Data and Control Line Transients ......................................................................................15

3.6.1 Transient Levels .........................................................................................................................................................15
3.6.2 Protection Design ......................................................................................................................................................16
3.6.3 Characteristics............................................................................................................................................................16
3.6.4 Installation of Facility Level Transient Protection ..............................................................................................17
3.6.5 Installation of Suppression Components at Electronic Equipment...................................................................18
3.6.6 Externally Mounted Electronic Equipment...........................................................................................................18
3.6.7 Axial Cables ...............................................................................................................................................................18
3.6.8 Fiber Optic Cable ......................................................................................................................................................19
3.7 Lightning Protection System Requirements.........................................................................................................20
3.7.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................20
3.7.2 Materials ......................................................................................................................................................................20
3.7.3 Main Conductors .......................................................................................................................................................20
3.7.4 Hardware .....................................................................................................................................................................20
3.7.5 Guards .........................................................................................................................................................................21
3.7.6 Bonds...........................................................................................................................................................................21
3.7.7 Conductor Routing....................................................................................................................................................22
3.7.8 Down Conductor Terminations...............................................................................................................................22

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 3.7.9 Buildings.....................................................................................................................................................................22
3.7.10 Antenna Towers .........................................................................................................................................................24
3.7.11 Fences...........................................................................................................................................................................27
3.7.12 Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT)................................................................................................................29
3.8 Earth Electrode System (EES) Requirements .....................................................................................................32
3.8.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................32
3.8.2 Site Survey..................................................................................................................................................................32
3.8.3 Design..........................................................................................................................................................................32
3.8.4 Configuration .............................................................................................................................................................35
3.8.5 Ground rods................................................................................................................................................................35
3.8.6 Interconnections.........................................................................................................................................................36
3.8.7 Access Well................................................................................................................................................................36

3.9 Main Ground Plate ......................................................................................................................................................36

3.10 Electronic Multipoint Ground System Requirements .......................................................................................37

3.10.1 General.........................................................................................................................................................................37
3.10.2 Facilities Requiring a Signal Reference Structure (SRS)....................................................................................37
3.10.3 Ground Plates, Cables and Protection ....................................................................................................................39
3.10.4 Building Structural Steel...........................................................................................................................................41
3.10.5 Interior Metallic Piping Systems .............................................................................................................................42
3.10.6 Electrical Supporting Structures..............................................................................................................................42
3.10.7 Secure Facilities .........................................................................................................................................................43
3.10.8 Multipoint Grounding of Electronic Equip ment...................................................................................................43
3.10.9 Electronic Equipment Containing both Low and High Frequency Circuits ....................................................44

3.11 Electronic Single Point Ground System Requirements.....................................................................................44

3.11.1 General.........................................................................................................................................................................44
3.11.2 Ground Plates..............................................................................................................................................................44
3.11.3 Isolation .......................................................................................................................................................................45
3.11.4 Resistance....................................................................................................................................................................45
3.11.5 Ground Cable Size .....................................................................................................................................................45
3.11.6 Labeling .......................................................................................................................................................................46
3.11.7 Equipment Requiring Electronic Single Point Grounds......................................................................................46
3.12 National Electrical Code (NEC) Grounding Compliance.................................................................................49
3.12.1 General.........................................................................................................................................................................49
3.12.2 Grounding Electrode Conductors............................................................................................................................50
3.12.3 Equipment Grounding Conductors .........................................................................................................................50
3.12.4 Color Coding of Conductors ....................................................................................................................................51
3.12.5 Conductor Routing.....................................................................................................................................................52
3.12.6 Non-Current-Carrying Metal Equipment Enclosures ..........................................................................................52
3.13 Other Grounding Requirements .............................................................................................................................53
3.13.1 Electronic Cabinet, Rack, and Case Grounding....................................................................................................53
3.13.2 Receptacles..................................................................................................................................................................54
3.13.3 Equipment Power Isolation Requirements.............................................................................................................54
3.13.4 Portable Equipment....................................................................................................................................................54
3.13.5 Fault Protection ..........................................................................................................................................................54
3.13.6 AC Power Filters ........................................................................................................................................................55
3.14 Bonding Requirements ...............................................................................................................................................55
3.14.1 Resistance....................................................................................................................................................................55
3.14.2 Methods .......................................................................................................................................................................55
3.14.3 Bonding Straps and Jumpers ....................................................................................................................................59
3.14.4 Fasteners ......................................................................................................................................................................60
3.14.5 Temporary Bonds.......................................................................................................................................................60

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 3.14.6 Inaccessible Locations...............................................................................................................................................60
3.14.7 Coupling of Dissimilar Metals .................................................................................................................................61
3.14.8 Surface Preparation....................................................................................................................................................61
3.14.9 Bond Protection..........................................................................................................................................................62
3.14.10 Bonding Across Shock Mounts ...............................................................................................................................63
3.14.11 Enclosure Bonding.....................................................................................................................................................63
3.14.12 Subassemblies .............................................................................................................................................................63
3.14.13 Equipment ...................................................................................................................................................................63
3.14.14 Connector Mounting..................................................................................................................................................63
3.14.15 Shield Terminations...................................................................................................................................................64
3.14.16 RF Gaskets ..................................................................................................................................................................64

3.15 Shielding Requirements .............................................................................................................................................65

3.15.1 Design ..........................................................................................................................................................................65
3.15.2 Facility Shielding .......................................................................................................................................................65
3.15.3 Conductor and Cable Shielding ...............................................................................................................................65
3.15.4 Space Separation ........................................................................................................................................................67
3.15.5 Electromagnetic Environment Control...................................................................................................................68
3.16 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Minimization, Control and Prevention Requirements ............................70
3.16.1 ESD Sensitivity Classification.................................................................................................................................70
3.16.2 ESD Protection Requirements.................................................................................................................................70
3.16.3 Circuit and Equipment Design.................................................................................................................................71
3.16.4 Classification of Materials........................................................................................................................................71
3.16.5 Protection of ESD Susceptible and Sensitive Items .............................................................................................72
3.16.6 Hard and Soft Grounds..............................................................................................................................................76
3.16.7 ESD Control Floor and Coverings..........................................................................................................................76
3.16.8 ESD Protective Worksurfaces..................................................................................................................................77
3.16.9 Static Dissipative Coatings.......................................................................................................................................79

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS............................................................................80

4.1 Electromagnetic Compatibility and Quality Assurance ...................................................................................80
4.1.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................80

4.2 Requirements ................................................................................................................................................................80

4.3 Approval .........................................................................................................................................................................80

5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY.....................................................................................82

6. NOTES ....................................................................................................................................84
6.1 Definitions ......................................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.1 Access Well................................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.2 Air Terminal...............................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.3 Armored Cable ...........................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.4 Arrester........................................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.5 Bond.............................................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.6 Bond, Direct ...............................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.7 Bond, Indirect.............................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.8 Bonding.......................................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.9 Bonding Jumper.........................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.10 Branch Circuit .............................................................................................................................................................84
6.1.11 Brazing.........................................................................................................................................................................85
6.1.12 Building .......................................................................................................................................................................85
6.1.13 Bulkhead Plate............................................................................................................................................................85
6.1.14 Cabinet .........................................................................................................................................................................85

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 6.1.15 Cable .............................................................................................................................................................................85
6.1.16 Case ..............................................................................................................................................................................85
6.1.17 Chassis .........................................................................................................................................................................85
6.1.18 Clamp Voltage............................................................................................................................................................85
6.1.19 Conductor....................................................................................................................................................................86
6.1.20 Crowbar .......................................................................................................................................................................86
6.1.21 Current Issue ...............................................................................................................................................................86
6.1.22 Earth Electrode System (EES).................................................................................................................................86
6.1.23 Electromagnetic Interference (EMI).......................................................................................................................86
6.1.24 Electronic Multipoint Ground System....................................................................................................................87
6.1.25 Electronic Single Point Ground System.................................................................................................................87
6.1.26 Equipment Areas ........................................................................................................................................................87
6.1.27 Equipment Grounding Conductor...........................................................................................................................87
6.1.28 Equipment ...................................................................................................................................................................87
6.1.29 Facility Ground System.............................................................................................................................................87
6.1.30 Faraday Cage ..............................................................................................................................................................87
6.1.31 Feeder...........................................................................................................................................................................87
6.1.32 Fitting, High Compression .......................................................................................................................................87
6.1.33 Ground .........................................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.34 Grounded.....................................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.35 Grounded Conductor.................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.36 Grounded, Effectively ...............................................................................................................................................88
6.1.37 Grounding Conductor................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.38 Grounding Electrode..................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.39 Grounding Electrode Conductor..............................................................................................................................88
6.1.40 High frequency...........................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.41 Issue, Current..............................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.42 Landline .......................................................................................................................................................................88
6.1.43 Line Replaceable Unit ...............................................................................................................................................89
6.1.44 Low Frequency...........................................................................................................................................................89
6.1.45 National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA-70).........................................................................................................89
6.1.46 Operational Areas.......................................................................................................................................................89
6.1.47 OPI ................................................................................................................................................................................89
6.1.48 Overshoot Voltage .....................................................................................................................................................89
6.1.49 Pressure Connector....................................................................................................................................................89
6.1.50 Rack..............................................................................................................................................................................89
6.1.51 Reference Plane or Point, Electronic Signal (Signal Ground)............................................................................89
6.1.52 Reverse Standoff or Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV).......................................................89
6.1.53 Shield ............................................................................................................................................................................89
6.1.54 Structure.......................................................................................................................................................................90
6.1.55 Surge.............................................................................................................................................................................90
6.1.56 Susceptibility Level ...................................................................................................................................................90
6.1.57 Transient......................................................................................................................................................................90
6.1.58 Transient Suppressor.................................................................................................................................................90
6.1.59 Turn-on Voltage .........................................................................................................................................................90
6.1.60 Zone of Protection......................................................................................................................................................90
6.2 Acronyms and Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................91

6.3 Guidelines ......................................................................................................................................................................92

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 List of Figures
Figure 1. Lightning Protection for Radomes and Radar Antenna Platforms .................................25
Figure 2. Grounding a Fence..........................................................................................................28
Figure 3. Airport Traffic Control Tower Levels ............................................................................30
Figure 4. Ground Plate Detail ........................................................................................................34
Figure 5. Grounding Trench Detail................................................................................................35
Figure 6. Facility Grounding System.............................................................................................38
Figure 7. Multipoint Ground Cable Size Determination ..............................................................40
Figure 8. Electronic Single Point Ground System Installation......................................................47
Figure 9. Single Point Electronic Ground Bus Bar Installation in Rack or Cabinet......................49
Figure 10. Bonding of Conduit and Grounding Conductor ..........................................................53
Figure 11. Order of Assembly for Bolted Connections ................................................................58
Figure 12. Bonding of Connectors to Mounting Surface..............................................................64
Figure 13. Grounding of Overall Cable Shields to Connectors and Penetrating Walls................67
Figure 14. Grounding of Overall Cable Shield to Terminal Strip ................................................68

List of Tables

Table I. Surge Levels for 120/208V, 120/240 and 277/480V Service Lines................................11
Table II. Conducted Landline Transient Levels ............................................................................15
Table III. Size of Electronic Multipoint Ground Interconnecting Conductors .............................41
Table IV. Minimum Number of Twists for Power Conductors ....................................................53
Table V. Acceptable Couplings Between Dissimilar Metals........................................................57
Table VI. Torque Requirements for Bolted Bonds ......................................................................58
Table VII. Minimum Separation Distance Between Signal and Power Cables.............................68

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1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope
This document mandates standard lightning protection, transient protection, electrostatic
discharge (ESD), grounding, bonding and shielding configurations and procedures for new
facilities, facility modifications, facility up grades, new equipment installations, and new
electronic equipment used in the National Airspace Systems (NAS). It provides requirements for
the design, construction, modification or evaluation of facilities and equipment. This document
does not apply to existing facilities unless the facility is undergoing upgrade or receiving new
electronic equipment. This version of the document applies to equipment and facilities and
procurement initiated after the effective date of this document. However, if the procurement
contract is not in accordance with the version of FAA-STD-019 in effect on the initiation date of
the procurement, then the procurement shall be required to meet the version of this standard in
effect when the noncompliance is noted.

1.2 Purpose
The requirements of this standard provide a systematic approach to minimize electrical hazards
to personnel, electromagnetic interference and damage to facilities and electronic equipment
from lightning, transients, ESD, and power faults.

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2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Government Documents

The current issues of the following documents form a part of this standard and are applicable to
the extent specified elsewhere in this document. If conflicts occur between these documents and
the contents of this standard, the contents of this standard provide the superseding requirements.

Federal Specifications

P-D-680 Dry Cleaning Solvent

(Information required to obtain copies of federal specifications is available from General

Services Administration offices in Atlanta, Auburn WA; Boston, Chicago, Denver, Forth Worth,
Kansas City MO, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC)

FAA Specifications

FAA-C-1217 Electrical Work, Interior

FAA-G-2100 Electronic Equipment, General Requirements

FAA Standards

FAA-STD-012 Paint Systems for Equipment

FAA Orders

Order 6950.19 Practices and Procedures for Lightning Protection, Grounding,

Bonding and Shielding Implementation
Order 6950.20 Fundamental Considerations of Lightning Protection,
Grounding, Bonding and Shielding

(Copies of these specifications, standards, orders, and other applicable FAA documents may be
obtained from the Contracting Officer issuing the invitation- for-bids or request- for-proposals.
Requests should fully identify material desired, i.e. specification, standard, amendment, drawing
numbers and dates. Requests should cite the invitation-for-bids, request- for-proposals, the
contract involved, or other use to be made of the requested material.)

Military Documents

MIL-HDBK-253 Guidance for the Design and Test of Systems Protected Against
the Effects of Electromagnetic Energy
DOD/MIL-HDBK-263 Electrostatic Discharge Control Handbook
DOD-STD-1686 Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for Protection of
Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment
(Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices)

3
MIL-HDBK-237 Electromagnetic Compatibility Management Guide for
Platforms, Systems and Equipment
MIL-HDBK-419 Grounding, Bonding, and Shielding for Electronic Equipment
and Facilities
MIL-PRF-87893 Performance Specification, Workstations, Electrostatic
Discharge Control
MIL-STD-461 The Control of Electromagnetic Interference Emissions and
Susceptibility
MIL-STD-889 Dissimilar Metals
MIL-STD-1686 Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for Protection of
Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies, and Equipment
Excluding electrically Initiated Explosive Devices
MIL-W-87893 Workstation, Electrostatic Discharge Control
NACSIM 5203 Guidelines for Facility Design and Red/Black Installation (U)
(Confidential Document)

(Single copies of Military specifications, standards, and handbooks may be requested by mail or
telephone from Document Automation and Production Service Customer Service
Standardization Documents Order Desk 700 Robbins Avenue, Building 4D Philadelphia, PA
19111-5094 or via www.dodssp.daps.mil/dodssp.htm. Not more than five items may be ordered
on a single request; the Invitation for Bid or Contract Number should be cited where applicable.
Only latest revisions (complete with latest amendments) are available; slash sheets must be
individually requested. Request all items by document number

2.2 Non-Government Documents

The current issues of the following documents form a part of this standard and are applicable to
the extent specified herein. If conflicts occur between these documents and the contents of this
standard, the contents of this standard provide the superseding requirements.

Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA)

EIA Standard EIA-625 Requirements for Handling Electrostatic-Discharge-Sensitive

www.eia.org (ESDS) Devices

Requests for copies of EIA Standards should be addressed to Electronic Industries Alliance,
Corporate Engineering Department, 2500 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 or telephone 703
907-7500.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC)

NFPA 77 Static Electricity
NFPA 780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems

4
(Requests for copies of NFPA documents should be addressed to the National Fire Protection
Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02269. www.nfpa.org)
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL)

UL 96 Lightning Protection Components

UL 96A Installation Requirements for Lightning Protection Systems
UL 779 (ANSI-A148.1) Electrically Conductive Floorings
UL 1449 Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors

(Requests for copies of UL documents should be addressed to Global Engineering Documents,

1500 Inverness Way East Englewood, CO 80112 Telephone 303 397-7945, 800 854-7179
www.ul.com)

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

ANSI/IEEE C62.41 Recommended Practice on Surge Voltages in Low Voltage AC

Power Circuits
ANSI/IEEE C62.45 IEEE Guide on Surge Testing for Equipment Connected to Low-
Voltage AC Power Circuits
ANSI/IEEE 1100 Recommended Practice for Powering and Grounding Sensitive
Electronic Equipment (Emerald Book)

(Requests for copies of IEEE documents should be addressed to Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08855-9916.
www.ieee.org)

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Association Documents

ESD-ADV 2.0 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Control Handbook

ESD-ADV 53.1 ESD Protective Workstations
ANSI-EOS/ESD-S 4.1 ESD Protective Work Surfaces Resistance Characterization
ANSI/ESD-S 7.1 Resistive Characterization of Materials - Floor Materials
ESD-S 11.11 Surface Resistance Measurement of Static Dissipative Planar
Materials
ESD S20.20 Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program
ESD-STM 4.1 Work Surfaces - Resistance Measurements
ESD-STM 5.1 Sensitivity Testing, Human Body Model, Component Level
ESD-STM 12.1 Seating - Resistive Measurement

(Requests for copies of ESD Association documents should be addressed to the ESD
Association, 7900 Turin Road, Bldg 3, Suite 2, Rome, NY 13440-2069. www.esda.org
telephone 315 339-6937)

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3. REQUIREMENTS
This section provides requirements that are established to insure the proper operation of FAA
facilities. The use of the term facilities in this document may differ from the manner in which it
is frequently used in other FAA documents. For the purposes of this document, a facility is an
area of collocated equipment. For example, the cab and electronic/electrical equipment located
on the junction and subjunction levels of an Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) are a single
facility. An ATCT with a base building containing electronic equipment is an example of two
facilities located at the same site. Other examples of 2 or more facilities (in the sense of the term
in this document) include the ARSR-4 (the tower and base building are separate facilities) and
Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) with multiple buildings that must be treated as
separate facilities. An example of a single facility (for purposes of this document) is a Remote
Controlled Air to Ground (RCAG) collocated in a VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR)
building. Contact the Office of Primary Interest (OPI) of this document for specific guidance on
new facilities/systems.

3.1 Surge and Transient Protection Requirements

3.1.1 General
Lines, cables, and facility electronic equipment shall be protected against damaging surges on
alternating current (AC) power lines and transients on electronic landlines from the effects of
lightning. Ferrous conduit shall be used to shield external lines and cables to minimize inductive
coupling of transients from lightning discharges. Guard wires shall be used to protect buried
cables from direct lightning strikes. Fiber optic lines and balanced metallic lines shall also be
used when feasible. Electrical and electronic equipment shall be protected against conducted and
radiated surges and transients from all power, signal, control and/or status lines. Integrated
circuits, transistors, diodes, solid-state voltage regulators, capacitors, miniature relays, miniature
switches, and miniature transformers, etc. are quite susceptible to damage and operational upset
caused by transients. Transient suppression shall be provided at the entrance of lines and cables
to facility structures and electronic equipment enclosures as required in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7
and their associated subparagraphs to protect electronic equipment from conducted transients. A
surge protective device (SPD), capable of shunting the energy represented by the surge levels in
paragraph 3.5.1, shall be installed at the AC service entrance to the facility. Implementatio n
guidelines are contained in FAA Orders 6950.19 and 6950.20. All surge protective devices shall
meet or exceed the current version of UL 1449. Documentation, including a schematic diagram
of the SPD circuitry and complete installation instructions shall be provided for all SPDs
installed at FAA facilities. The manufacturer’s data sheet for the SPD shall be filed in the
Facility Reference Data File (FRDF).

3.1.2 Existing Electronic Equipment Designs

For existing electronic equipment designs, the equipment le vel transient suppression required
by this document, may be either internal or external to the electronic equipment using proper
grounding, bonding, and shielding procedures.

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3.2 External Lines and Cables

3.2.1 Fiber Optic Lines

Fiber optic lines are not inherently susceptible to electromagnetic interference or the induction
fields produced by lightning. Fiber optic lines should replace metallic lines when economically
and technically feasible. Ferrous conduit shielding is not required for fiber optic lines.
Suppression components are not required for fiber optic lines. Where metallic or electrically
conductive sheaths or strength members are present they shall be grounded to the multipoint
ground system at each end. The fiber optic modules shall have 90db of attenuation against all
sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

3.2.2 Balanced Pair Lines

When possible, signal and control circuits routed external to equipment shall be designed as
balanced, two conductor, shielded circuits.

3.2.3 Ferrous Conduit

In this standard, ferrous conduit is defined as rigid galvanized steel (RGS) or ferrous rigid metal
conduit. Buried power lines and all buried electronic (signal, control, communication, RMM,
etc.) lines, conductors and cables to the facility except axial type lines shall be enclosed in
galvanized steel conduit. However, where the length of the run exceeds 300 ft., the above
referenced lines, conductors and cables into the facility shall be either in armored cable (with a
ferrous armor) as defined in paragraph 3.2.5 or enclosed in continuous RGS. Buried axial type
lines shall have a ferrous metallic armor or be run in intermediate metal conduit. All power,
signal and control lines, conductors and cables, both overhead and buried, shall enter the facility
through a minimum of 10 feet of ferrous conduit. The conduit may be routed via other than a
direct route to achieve this 10 foot requirement. This conduit, if buried, shall extend 5 feet
beyond the EES. The buried end(s) of each of these conduits shall be bonded to the EES with a
bare copper conductor, #2 American Wire Gauge (AWG), minimum. Conduit joints and fittings
shall be electrically continuous with bonding resistance of 5 milliohms or less between joined
parts. Conduit enclosing AC power service entrance conductors shall be bonded to the
distribution transformer case and to the service entrance cabinet. Conduit enclosing signal,
control, status, power, or other conductors to electronic equipment shall be terminated using
conductive fittings to their respective junction boxes, equipment cabinets, enclosures, or other
grounded metal structures.

3.2.3.1 Ferrous Conduit Penetration of Facility

(1) At each location where above ground conduits first penetrate a shelter or building’s exterior
wall, bonding connections shall be made. The conduit shall be bonded either to a bulkhead
connector plate that is connected directly to the EES in accordance with the requirements in
paragraph 3.6.7.2 or directly from the conduit to the EES.
(2) If the connections in 3.2.3.1(1) are not feasible, bonding connections shall be made from
the conduit to the electronic multipoint ground plate. Conduits shall be connected to an
electronic multipoint ground plate with minimum 2 AWG stranded copper conductor using
exothermic welds or UL listed pressure connectors.

8
3.2.4 Buried Guard Wires
Buried lines including armored cable, not completely enclosed in ferrous conduit, shall be
protected by a bare #1/0 AWG copper guard wire. The guard wire shall be embedded in the soil,
a minimum of 10 in. (25cm) directly above and parallel to the lines or cables being protected.
When the width of the cable run or duct does not exceed 3 ft (90cm), one guard wire, centered
over the cable run or duct, provides adequate protection. When the cable run or duct is more
than 3ft (90cm.) in width, 2 guard wires shall be installed. The guard wires shall be spaced at
least 12 in.(30 cm.) apart and be not less than 12 in. (30 cm.) nor more than 18 in. (45 cm.) inside
the outermost wires or the edges of the duct. The guard wire shall be bonded to the EES at each
end and to ground rods at approximately 90ft intervals using exothermic welds. Where cables
are run parallel to the edge of a runway an additional guard wire located between the runway
edge and the cable run has been shown to provide significant reduction in lightning related
incidents. The spacing between ground rods must vary by 10 – 20% to prevent resonance.
Install the ground rods at approximately 6 feet (2 m) to either side of the trench.

3.2.5 Armored Cable (Direct Earth Burial (DEB) Type)

Armored cable (with a ferrous armor), when permitted according to the requirements of
paragraph 3.2.3, shall be installed with a guard wire in accordance with paragraph 3.2.4.
Armored cable shall be bonded to the EES prior to the point of entry into the facility with a
minimum #2 AWG bare copper conductor. Where this is not feasible, armor shall be bonded to
the multipoint ground (MPG). When none of the above are available, armor shall be grounded
by bonding to the ground bus at the service disconnecting means. If armor is continued to the
electronic equipment, it shall be bonded to the multipoint ground system of the electronic
equipment unless the equipment is required to be isolated. All bonds shall be less than 5
milliohms between joined parts.

3.2.6 Existing Metallic Conduit, Conductors and Cables.

All conduit and cables in NAS operational facilities are subject to currents induced by nearby
lightning strikes. These induced effects can adversely affect the operation of sensitive electronic
equipment. All unused conduits, conductors and cables shall be removed, unless the removal is
disapproved by the Airway Facilities (AF) manager. The AF manager shall be consulted to
validate the decision to remove any metallic conduit, conductors or cables prior to acting. If they
are to remain, the following actions shall be accomplished to minimize the voltage differential
between ends.
• All metallic conduits shall be grounded at both ends.
• All unused conductors shall be grounded at both ends.
• In unused cables, ground all conductors, including shields, at both ends. This grounding
may be accomplished through a gas tube at one end to minimize hum.

3.3 Interior Lines and Cables

All permanently installed single conductors, cables and wiring exceeding 6 ft. in length shall be
enclosed in steel conduit, shielded cable trays, or shielded wireways that are connected to the
electronic multipoint ground system as specified in paragraphs 3.10.6.1 and (e). Backbone type
and other cable trays that do not provide shielding from EMI and adequate bonding surface area
are strictly prohibited.

9
3.4 Electronic Equipment Transient Susceptibility Levels
Electronic equipment, such as radars, navaids, transmitters, supplied as part of the facility, sha ll
be provided with transient protection that shall reduce surges and transients of 2.5 times the
normal operating voltage or 600 volts whichever is larger, to below the equipment susceptibility
level. Electronic equipment not supplied as a part of the facility would include items such as
administrative computers or other similar equipment not required for the facility to perform its
operational function. The equipment susceptibility level is defined as the transient level on the
signal, control or data line that may cause damage, degradation, or upset to electronic circuitry
connected to the line. Protection for these levels is in addition to the facility protection levels
specified in paragraphs 3.5 and 3.6. The electronic equipment manufacturer shall perform tests
to determine the voltage, current, or energy levels that will cause immediate damage to
components, shorten its operating life, or cause operational upset. These tests shall consider all
electrical and electronic equipment components exposed to the effects of surges or transients.
The combined facility and equipment entrance protection shall be coordinated to limit transients
at the equipment to below the equipment susceptibility level. Requirements of this paragraph
shall be included in the comprehensive control and test plans outlined in paragraph 4.2. In all
cases the following characteristics shall be evaluated.

(a) Component damage threshold. The damage threshold is the transient level that renders the
component nonfunctional or operationally deficient. For solid-state components, voltage is
usually the relevant parameter.

(b) Component degradation level. The component degradation level is the transient voltage or
energy level that shortens the useful life of the component.

(c) Operational upset level. The operational upset level is the transient voltage or energy level
that causes an unacceptable change in operating characteristics for longer than 10 milliseconds
for analog equipment or a change of logic state for digital equipment.

3.5 Conducted Power Line Surges

A surge protective device (SPD) shall be provided at the service disconnecting means. This
entrance arrester may be located on the line side of the disconnecting means if properly rated for
the application. Additional SPDs shall be provided at power line entrances to operational
electronic equipment. SPDs at the service disconnecting means, distribution and branch panel
boards as well as transient suppression provided at electronic equipment power line entrances
shall be coordinated in accordance with the guidance provided in paragraphs 3.6.2.1(a) and
3.6.4.1 (a).

3.5.1 Surge Levels

Surge levels and number of occurrences for selection or design of facility AC arresters are given
by Table I. Table I defines line-to-ground, line-to-neutral, neutral to ground, and line-to- line
surge currents, and number of occurrences for low voltage AC services. In these tables, the 8-
by-20 µs wave form defines a transient reaching peak value in 8 µs and decays to 50 percent of
peak value 20 µs after inception. These devices shall be able to tolerate surges of shorter
duration without malfunction.

10
 Table I. Surge Levels for 120/208V, 120/240 and 277/480V Service Lines

Surge Current Amplitude Number of Surges (Lifetime)

8-by-20 Microsecond
Waveform
*4-by-10 Microsecond

10 kA 1,500
20 kA 700
30 kA 375
40 kA 50
50 kA 8
60 kA 6
70 kA 4

100 kA* 2

180-240kA* 1

3.5.2 Facility AC Surge Protective Device

A facility AC surge protective device (SPD) shall be installed, on the load side of the facility
service disconnecting means. However, if it is specifically listed/rated for line side applications,
the SPD may be installed on the line side of the facility service disconnect. Note: SPDs listed
under UL standard 1449 are not intended for use on the line side of the disconnecting means.
When installed on the line side of the facility service disconnecting means, the SPD shall have a
200,000 AIC rated overcurrent protective device in case of a catastrophic failure. The SPD may
be a combination of solid state circuits, varistors, or other devices and shall meet the
requirements provided in this paragraph and its subparagraphs. For services with a neutral, SPD
elements shall be connected line-to-ground (L-G), line-to-neutral (L-N), and neutral-to- ground
(N-G). For services without a neutral, SPD elements shall be connected line-to-ground (L-G),
and line-to- line (L-L). Lightning arresters (high voltage) shall also be installed on the primary
side of FAA owned distribution transformers. These arresters and SPDs shall be approved by the
office of primary interest (OPI) of this document.

3.5.2.1 Characteristics
Minimum functional and operational characteristics of facility SPDs for installation at service
disconnecting means shall be as follows:

(a) Maximum continuous operating voltage (MCOV). The maximum designated root- mean-
square (rms) value of power frequency voltage that may be applied continuously between the
terminals of the arrestor under all non-transient conditions.

(b) Leakage current. The DC leakage current shall be less than 1mA for voltages at or below
1.414 x MCOV VDC.

11
(c) Clamp (discharge) voltage. The maximum clamp voltage for a SPD when passing up to a
70kA 8/20 microsecond wave shape shall not exceed the value Vcl < (2.7 x Vrms) + (8 x Is )

Where
Vcl = The maximum clamping voltage
Vrms = The root mean square value of the nominal system voltage
Is = The short circuit surge current of the surge in kiloamperes.

(d) Overshoot voltage. Overshoot voltage shall not exceed 2 times the SPD clamp voltage for
more than 10 nanoseconds. Overshoot voltage is the surge voltage level that appears across the
SPD terminals before the device turns on and clamps the surge to the specified voltage level.

(e) Self-restoring capability. The SPD shall automatically return to an off state after surge
dissipation when line voltage returns to normal.

(f) Operating lifetime. The SPD shall safely dissipate the number and amplitude of surges listed
in Table I. Clamp (discharge) voltage shall not change more than 10 percent over the operating
life of the arrester.

(g) Fusing and Indicator Lamps. If the input to an SPD is internally fused this fusing shall not
increase the clamp voltage of the SPD and shall pass the surge current levels given by Table I up
to the 70kA level without opening. Two indicator lamps per phase on the SPD enclosure cover
shall visually indicate that fuse(s) have opened.

3.5.2.2 Packaging
All components comprising a surge protective device shall be packaged in a single National
Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) type 12 steel enclosure for indoor use only, or a
type 4 waterproof, steel enclosure for indoor or outdoor use. SPDs may be enclosed within
panelboards or switchgear enclosures, if UL listed for such installation. Eithe r studs or
connectors for #4 AWG or larger conductors shall be provided for all input and output
connections. The SPD elements, when not connected to the phase, neutral and ground
conductors, shall be electrically isolated from the enclosure to a minimum of 10 megohms
resistance. The enclosure door shall be hinged and electrically bonded to the enclosure. Hinges
shall not be used to provide electrical bonding. Fuses, lights, fuse wires, and arrester elements or
components shall be readily accessible for inspection and replacement.

3.5.2.3 Installation
The SPD shall be installed as close as possible (within 12 in.) of the facility service
disconnecting means. Wiring connections may be other than the gauge specified herein if
recommended by the manufacturer. Connections shall be made with UL listed pressure
connectors.

(a) Phase connections. Phase lugs of the SPD shall be connected to corresponding phase
terminals of the service disconnecting means with insulated #4 AWG (minimum) copper

12
 cable. Connections shall be as short and direct as possible without loops, sharp bends or
kinks.

(b) SPD ground and neutral connections. The ground connection for the SPD elements shall be
routed as directly as possible, with no loops, sharp bends or kinks from the SPD element
output terminal to the ground bus in the service disconnecting means. In a grounded system,
the neutral connection for the SPD elements shall be routed in a similar manner as above to
the neutral bus of the service disconnecting means. These ground and neutral connections
shall be a #4 AWG (minimum) copper cable, insulated and color coded in accordance with
NEC. The element terminals shall be electrically insulated from the SPD enclosure.

(c) Equipment grounding conductor. The SPD enclosure shall be connected to the ground bus
in the service disconnecting means enclosure with a minimum of #4 AWG copper wire.
The wire shall have green insulation.

(d) Conduit sealing. The conduit or conduit nipple connecting the SPD enclosure to the service
disconnecting means (SDM) enclosure shall be sealed with duct seal or other nonflammable
medium to prevent soot from entering the SDM enclosure in the event of SPD failure.

3.5.3 Surge Protective Devices for Distribution and Branch Panels

Surge protective devices shall be installed on all critical and essential panels providing service to
NAS operational equipment or supplying exterior circuits. Examples of exterior circuits include
obstruction lights, exterior convenience outlets, guard shacks, electric gates and feeds to other
facilities. SPDs shall be selected in accordance with the guidance provided in IEEE C62.41 and
meet the requirements of UL1449-II. Devices for panels serving exterior circuits shall be tested
for a level C3 application per IEEE C62.41. These devices shall be installed as close as possible
to the panel they serve and in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. The conduit or
conduit nipple connecting the SPD enclosure to the panel enclosure shall be sealed with duct seal
or other nonflammable medium to prevent soot from entering the enclosure in the event of SPD
failure. The use of potting material in SPDs is strictly prohibited. All SPD components must be
accessible for inspection by qualified FAA personnel. The MCOV for SPDs located at branch
and distribution panels shall be equal to or greater than the MCOV of those located at the facility
service.

3.5.4 Electronic Equipment Power Entrance

Surge protective devices, components or circuits for protection of electronic equipment power
lines shall be provided as an integral part of all electronic equipment. These devices shall be
positioned at the AC power conductor entrance to electronic equipment provided as part of the
facility. Transient protection shall be provided on all combinations of L-L, L-G, L-N and N-G.
The MCOV for SPDs located at the equipment shall be equal to or greater than the MCOV of
those located at branch and distribution panels. SPDs at equipment shall provide a clamping
level less than the equipment susceptibility level as defined in paragraph 3.4. The OPI for this
document shall approve the design and selection of these devices. Electronic equipment that is
to be installed outside of facilities shall also require protection to the level supplied for the
facility.

13
3.5.4.1 Characteristics
The basic characteristics of surge suppression components or circuits for equipment power
lines entrances shall be as follows:

(a) Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV). MCOV of the arrester shall be ≥130
percent of the nominal line voltage.

(b) Turn on voltage. Turn on voltage, discharge (clamp) voltage, and the amplitude and time
duration of any overshoot voltage shall be less than the equipment susceptibility level.

(c) Leakage current. The DC leakage current shall be less than 1mA for voltages at or below
1.414 x MCOV VDC. .

(d) Self-restoring capability. The surge suppressors shall automatically restore to an off state
when surge voltage falls below the turn on voltage for the suppressor.

(e) Operating lifetime. Clamp voltage shall not change more than 10 percent over the operating
lifetime. When not located within a facility protected by the SPD required in paragraph 3.5.2
the electronic equipment surge suppression shall be capable of safely dissipating the number
and amplitude of surges specified in Table I.

3.5.4.2 Packaging
Suppression components shall be housed in a separate, shielded, compartmentalized enclosure as
an integral part of the electronic equipment design. Bulkhead-mounted feed through capacitors
or equivalent shall be used as necessary to prevent high frequency transient energy from
coupling to electronic equipment circuits. Suppression components shall be grounded to the
electronic equipment case as directly as feasible.

3.5.5 DC Power Supply Transient Suppression

Power supplies that use 60 hertz (Hz) power and furnish DC operating voltages to solid state
equipment used in direct support of the NAS, shall have transient suppression components from
each output of the power supply to the equipment chassis. During conduction of transients, the
suppressor shall not decrease rectifier output voltage below normal. The chassis side of
suppressors shall be connected as directly as possible to rectifier output ground. Operating
characteristics of suppression components provided for power supply rectifier output lines shall
be as follows:

(a) MCOV. MCOV shall be above maximum rectifier output voltage.

(b) Leakage current. The DC leakage current shall be less than 1mA for voltages at or below
1.414 x MCOV VDC.
(c) Turn on voltage. Turn on voltage shall be as near MCOV as possible and shall not exceed
125 percent of MCOV.

(d) Discharge (clamp) voltage. Clamp voltage shall be the lowest possible value that can be
obtained using suppressors not exceeding 160 percent of MCOV.

14
(e) Overshoot voltage. Overshoot voltage shall be sufficiently low to preclude electronic
equipment damage or operational upset. Time duration of overshoot voltage shall be limited to
the shortest possible time not exceeding 2 nanoseconds.

(f) Self-restoring capability. Transient suppressors installed in power supplies shall

automatically restore to an off state when line transient voltage falls below rated turnon voltage
for the suppressor.

(g) Operating lifetime. The transient suppressors shall safely dissipate 1000 surges with an
amplitude of 200 amps and a waveform of 1.2-by-50 µs. One point two (1.2) µs defines the time
from the start of the transient to peak amplitude, and 50 µs is the time from the start of the
transient until the transient decays to 50 percent of peak value. Methods of testing shall be in
accordance with the guidance in IEEE C62.45.

3.6 Conducted Signal, Data and Control Line Transients

Transient protection shall be provided for all signal, data and control lines; both at facility
entrances and at entrances to all electronic equipment used in direct support of the NAS. This
protection shall limit transients at the equipment entrance to below the equipment susceptibility
level. Surge protective devices shall be placed on both ends of signal, data and control lines
longer than 10 feet connecting pieces of equipment or facilities, to protect against surges coupled
into the wiring or caused by ground reference differences. This includes all signal, data, control,
and status lines both internal and external. This also includes interfacility power lines installed
above and below grade between facility structures and to externally mounted electronic
equipment and particularly vertically routed cables such as those between an ATCT cab and base
building or radar tower and base building. These suppressors may be either internal or external
to the equipment being protected. All unused conductors of a cable shall be grounded at each
end either directly or through an SPD. This shall be accomplished by methods (such as
termination on a terminal strip) that allow for future inspection. Additional protection, design
and packaging requirements specifically applicable to audio, radio frequency (RF) and other
signals transmitted by axial cables are specified in the following subparagraphs. Transient
protection shall be provided for all signal, data and control lines including those provided or
installed by a telecommunications service provider.

3.6.1 Transient Levels

Electronic equipment using landlines shall be protected against the transient levels defined in
Table II. Transient levels for landlines installed in ferrous conduit are different from those for
landlines not continuously enclosed in ferrous conduit. The 8-by-1000 µs waveform in Table II
defines a transient with an 8 µs rise time and decay to 50 percent of the peak voltage in 1000 µs.
Where leased service cables, serving leased equipment, enter the facility, they shall be protected
in such a manner that the transient remnant shall not exceed 2.5 times the peak normal signal
voltage.

Table II. Conducted Landline Transient Levels

15
 Peak Amplitude (Voltage and Current)
#of Transients
(8 – by - 1000µs) Lines Continuously Enclosed Lines Not Continuously Enclosed
Microsecond Waveform In Ferrous Conduit In Ferrous Conduit

1,000 50V, 10A 100V, 50A

500 75V, 20A 500V, 100A
50 100V, 25A 750V, 375A
5 100V, 50A 1000V, 1000A

3.6.2 Protection Design

Detailed analyses of suppression component and electronic equipment circuit characteristics are
required to select components compatible with the requirements herein and to provide
suppression cir cuits that will function without adversely affecting signals and information
transmitted by individual landlines. Design requirements for selection of components are as
follows:

(a) Unipolar suppression components shall be selected and installed for signals and voltages that
are always positive or always negative relative to reference ground. Bipolar suppression
components shall be selected for signals and voltages that are both positive and negative
relative to reference ground.

(b) The total series impedance of the suppression circuits at both ends of a landline shall be
designed so as not to degrade electronic equipment performance.

(c) The high energy protection components at facility entrances shall be selected to reduce the
magnitude of transient levels to equipment, clamping or limiting transient parameters safely
below electronic equipment susceptibility levels for individual lines.

(d) The suppression components at the facility and electronic equipment entrances, and any
impedance added to insure coordination, shall be selected to function together. The transient
protection components at the facility entrance and the transient protection components at the
electronic equipment entrance shall be selected to clamp and limit the transient voltage and
energy safely below circuit susceptibility levels.

3.6.3 Characteristics
The combined operating characteristics for landline transient suppression at facility and
electronic equipment entrances and requirements for individual devices shall be as follows:

(a) MCOV. The MCOV rating of the suppression components shall be 15-25% above nominal
line voltage or the next higher voltage device available.

(b) Leakage current. Leakage current to ground shall not exceed 100 microamperes at MCOV.

(c) Turnon voltage. Turnon voltage of the suppression components shall be as close to MCOV as
possible using state-of-the-art devices, and shall not exceed 125 percent of MCOV.
16
(d) Overshoot voltage. Overshoot voltage amplitude and duration limits shall be low enough to
preclude electronic equipment damage or operational upset. The requirement shall apply for
transients with rise times up to 5,000 V/µs.

(d) Clamp (discharge) voltage. Clamp voltage shall be below the electronic equipment
susceptibility levels while dissipating the transients listed in Table II.

(e) Operating life. The transient suppression system shall dissipate the transients defined in
Table II. Clamp voltage levels shall no t change more than 10 percent over the operating life
of the suppression system.

(f) Self-restoring capability. The transient suppression system shall automatically return to the
off state when the transient voltage level drops below turnon voltage for the suppressors.

3.6.4 Installation of Facility Level Transient Protection

Facility level transient suppression components for signal, data, and control lines shall be
installed either at the point where the landlines enter the facility or at the demarc where the lines
transfer to FAA control. When a battery feeds signal, data or control lines the suppression
components shall be housed in a metal enclosure due to the current available in case of a device
failure. When a separate equipment level protector is ins talled a ground bus bar, electrically
isolated from the enclosure, shall be provided to serve as an earth ground point for the facility
level transient suppressors. This ground bus bar shall be directly connected to the EES (EES)
with an insulated #4 AWG or larger copper conductor of minimum length with no loops, sharp
bends or kinks. The conductor insulation shall be color-coded green with a bright red tracer. A
UL listed double bolted terminator shall be used to bond the wire to the ground bus bar. The
bonding connection to the EES shall be an exothermic weld. The ground bus bar location shall
permit a short, direct connection to transient suppressors. The installation shall provide easy
access to component terminals for visual inspection, test and replacement. In cases where
separate equipment level protection is not required to limit transient voltages to below the
equipment susceptibility level; the facility level protection shall be grounded to the multipoint
ground system. The location of transient protection for landlines is specified both at entrances to
facilities and at entrances to electronic equipment within facilities. Depending on the type of
electronic equipment and planned facility installation, combining the transient suppression
specified at facility and electronic equipment entrances may be acceptable. Transient protection
designs for landlines that combine the protection specified herein for installation at one location
shall:
(1) provide high energy suppression component(s) or device(s) to remove a major percentage
of transient energy from each line,
(2) provide low energy suppression components to reduce transient energy and voltages to
below the electronic equipment susceptibility level for each line,
(3) be located at the entrance to the facility, and
(4) have approval by the OPI of this document prior to implementation.

17
3.6.5 Installation of Suppression Components at Electronic Equipment
Equipment level transient suppression components may be housed along with the facility level
transient suppression components described in paragraph 3.6.4, or in a separate enclosure, as
close to the equipment as possible or as an integral part of the electronic equipment design.
Components used shall be leadless or of minimum length with no loops, sharp bends or kinks.
Access shall be provided for visual inspection and replacement of components. Equipment level
transient suppression components, not housed along with the facility level transient suppression
components, shall be grounded to the multipoint ground system as close as possible to the
equipment being protected.

3.6.6 Externally Mounted Electronic Equipment

When landlines are directly connected to externally mounted electronic equipment the landline
suppression specified in this document for both facility and electronic equipment entrances shall
be provided at the equipment entrance. This combined protection shall provide separate high
and low energy components with a single grounding path. The grounding conductor shall be
bonded to the equipment chassis and shall be of minimum length and routed to avoid sharp
bends, kinks or loops. Access shall be provided for visual inspection of these suppressors and
for their replacement.

3.6.7 Axial Cables

Transient protection for electronic equipment using coaxial, tri-axial, and twin-axial cables shall
be provided both at facility entrances and at the electronic equipment. Transient suppression
shall be provided equally for each conductor and shield that is not grounded directly to the
electronic equipment case. The protection provided for electronic equipment using axial cables
shall comply with the requirements given above as well as the following additional requirements.

3.6.7.1 Protection Design

Special attention shall be given to the design of transient protection for axial-type cables. Design
may be particularly critical at RF frequencies. The following design requirements apply.

(a) Suppression circuits shall be designed using state-of-the-art components that have minimum
effect upon the signals being transmitted.

(b) Packaging of suppression components and circuits shall be designed to minimize the effect
on transmitted signals. Feed through components, leadless components, or short direct lead
connections without bends will improve performance of the suppression circuit and reduce signal
degradation.

(c) Analyses and tests shall be performed to assure that suppression components do not degrade
signals to an unacceptable degree or cause marginal operation of electronic equipment.
Partic ular attention shall be given to the impedance, insertion loss, phase distortion, and voltage
standing wave ratio for RF signals.

(d) When transient protection as specified herein cannot be provided without unacceptable
degradation of performance, alternatives shall be submitted in writing and implemented with
approval of the OPI for this document.

18
3.6.7.2 Metal Bulkhead Connector Plates
A metal bulkhead connector plate shall be provided where axial-type cables, waveguides,
conduits etc. not covered in paragraph 3.2.3 first enter a facility. The connector plate shall be a
minimum of 1/4 inch thick, and shall be constructed of tin-plated copper or other material
compatible with the connectors. Care shall be exercised to insure that a corrosion situation is not
created due to dissimilar metals or a corrosive environment. The plate or plates shall have the
required number and types of feed through connectors to terminate all axial lines and provide
adequate surface area for bonding waveguides, cable shields, conduits etc. The connectors shall
provide a path to ground for cable shields, except when the shield must be isolated for proper
equipment operation. If external and internal cables are of different sizes, the changeover in
cable size may be accomplished by the feed through connectors at the plate. Waveguides shall
be bonded to the bulkhead plates with a minimum #4 AWG conductor; conduits etc shall be
bonded to the bulkhead plates with a minimum #4 AWG conductor. The #4 AWG bond ing
cable for a waveguide can be connected to the waveguide flange with an appropriately sized ring
terminal. Conduits shall be bonded with a U-Bolt type bonding connector. Coaxial cable shields
shall be bonded with bonding kits sized for the specific cable type. These bonding jumpers shall
be connected to the plate with either an exothermic weld or a double bolted lug. The bulkhead
plate shall be bonded to the EES with a minimum #4/0 AWG copper cable color-coded green
with a red tracer. Additionally, when building steel is properly bonded to the EES, the bulkhead
connector plate shall be connected to building steel. Exothermic welds shall be used for these
connections.

3.6.7.3 Installation of Suppression Components at Facility Entrances

Transient suppression components for axial-type cables shall be packaged in a sealed metal
enclosure with appropriate connectors at each end to permit in- line installation at the bulkhead
connector plate required in paragraph 3.6.7.2.

3.6.7.4 Installation of Suppression Components at Electronic Equipment Entrances

Electronic equipment, without adequate internal transient suppression, shall be fitted with
suppression components packaged with compatible connectors on each end permitting in- line
connection directly to the equipment. When isolation of the cable shield and connector body is
required for electronic equipment operation, suppression component grounds shall be isolated
from the component housing and connected directly to the electronic equipment case. All
electronic equipment case entrances (penetrations) shall be located in a common area, close to
the case ground connection point to minimize circulating ground currents on the case.

3.6.8 Fiber Optic Cable

This standard does not preclude the use of fiber optic cable as a substitute for metallic signal,
control, and data cables. Where fiber optic cable uses conductive armor, the armor shall be
bonded to the EES at the facility entrance. If the cable is internal to the facility, conductive
armor shall be bonded to the multipoint ground system at the equipment entrance. The bonding
conductor shall be a #2 AWG insulated green with an orange stripe stranded copper conductor.
The use of fiber optic cable without a conductive shield or armor is permitted. The transmitter
and receiver modules shall be contained in ferrous enclosures, with all penetrations appropriately
gasketed or constructed to prevent RF coupling across the shield. Surge protective devices for

19
the metallic signal circuits and power shall be installed as equipment level protection at the fiber
optic receiver or transmitter equipment entrance and bonded to the chassis

3.7 Lightning Protection System Requirements

3.7.1 General
The intended purpose of the lightning protection system is to provide preferred paths for
lightning discharges to enter or leave the earth without causing facility damage or injury to
personnel or equipment. The essential components of a lightning protection system are air
terminals, roof and down conductors connecting to the EES, and the EES. These components act
together as a system to dissipate lightning energy. The lightning protection system shall meet or
exceed the requirements of all FAA standards and orders, Standard for the Installation of
Lightning Protection Systems, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 780), Installation
Requirements for Lightning Protection Systems, Underwriters Laboratories (UL 96A) and as
specified herein. Ensure that no part of the structure extends outside the zone of protection
established by the air terminals or catenary wires. Determine the zone of protection using the
criteria in NFPA 780. The provision of a UL Master label is not sufficient to indicate
compliance with this FAA standard requirement.

3.7.2 Materials
All equipment shall be UL listed for lightning protection purposes and marked in accordance
with UL procedures. All equipment shall be new and of a design and construction to suit the
application in accordance with UL 96A requirements, except that aluminum shall only be used
on aluminum roofs, aluminum siding or other aluminum surfaces. Bronze and stainless steel
may be used for some components. Aluminum materials shall not be used on surfaces coated
with alkaline-base paint, or embedded in masonry or cement, on copper roofing, in contact with
copper materials, or underground. Bimetallic rated connectors shall be used for interconnecting
copper and aluminum conductors. Dissimilar materials shall conform to the bonding
requirements of paragraph 3.14.2.3.

3.7.3 Main Conductors

Roof and down conductors shall meet the requirements given in NFPA 780. Roof and down
conductors shall be routed outside of any structure and shall not penetrate or invade that structure
except as indicated in paragraph 3.7.10.

3.7.4 Hardware
Hardware shall meet the following requirements:

3.7.4.1 Fasteners
Roof and down conductors shall be fastened at intervals not exceeding 3 ft. (0.9 m). Fasteners
shall be of the same material as the conductor base material or bracket being fastened, or other
equally corrosion resistant material. Galvanized or plated materials shall not be used. Where
fasteners are used for bonding the surface shall be prepared in accordance with paragraph 3.14.9.

3.7.4.2 Fittings
Bonding devices, cable splicers, and miscellaneous connectors shall be suitable for use with the

20
installed conductor and shall be copper, bronze or aluminum with bolt pressure connections to
the cable. Cast or stamped crimp type fittings shall not be used. Aluminum fittings shall only be
used with aluminum conductors. Copper and bronze fittings shall only be used with copper
conductors. Interconnection between copper and aluminum portions of the lightning protection
system shall be accomplished with bimetallic connectors.

3.7.5 Guards
Guards shall be provided for down conductors located in or next to driveways, walkways or
other areas where they may be displaced or damaged. Guards shall extend at least 6 ft. (1.8 m)
above and 1 ft. (0.3 m) below grade level. Guards shall be schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
pipe where feasible. Metal guards may be used but shall be bonded to the down conductor at
both ends of the guard. Bonding jumpers shall be of the same size as the down conductor. PVC
guards do not require bonding. Crimp type fittings shall not be used.

3.7.6 Bonds
Certain metallic bodies located outside or inside a structure contribute to lightning hazards
because they are grounded or assist in providing a path to ground for lightning currents. Such
metallic bodies shall be bonded to the lightning protection system wherever it is likely for a side
flash to occur between the lightning protection system conductors and a grounded metal body.
As a minimum, this shall be done in accordance with the distance guidance provided in NFPA
780. Bonding should also be applied to other metal bodies, permanently affixed to the structure,
because of their size or relative position to the lightning protection system conductor.

3.7.6.1 Metallic Bodies Subject to Direct Lightning Discharge

Metallic bodies, on roofs, subject to direct lightning discharge are generally any large metallic
body whose size causes it to protrude beyond the zone of protection (see paragraph 3.7.9) of the
installed air terminals. This includes, but is not limited to, exhaust pipes, exhaust fans, metal
cooling towers, HVAC units, ladders, railings, antennas, and large louvered structures, etc.
When these metallic bodies have a metal thickness of 3/16 in. or greater, they shall be bonded to
the nearest main lightning protection system conductor with fittings and conductors that are UL
listed for lightning protection. These fittings shall provide bonding surfaces of not less than 3
square inches. Provisions shall be made to prevent corrosive effects introduced by galvanic
action of dissimilar metals at bonding points. If the metal parts of these units are less than 3/16
in. thick, additional approved air terminals, conductors and fittings shall be installed, providing
an additional path to ground from the air terminals.

3.7.6.2 Metallic Bodies Subject to Induced Charges

Metallic bodies, on or below roof level, that are subject to induced charges from lightning shall
be bonded to the lightning protection system in accordance with the distance guidance provided
in NFPA 780. This includes, but is not limited to the following metallic items, roof drains, vents,
coping, flashing, gutters, downspouts, doors, door and window frames, balcony railing, conduits,
pipes, etc. Fittings and conductors used shall be UL listed for lightning protection.

3.7.6.3 Exhaust Stack Grounding.

Exhaust stacks used for either fossil fuel heating or for engine generators create a plume of
highly ionized, heated air. This plume attracts cloud to ground lightning. Bond all exhaust

21
stacks to the nearest point in the lightning protection system with a conductor of equal size as the
main conductor to prevent flashover. The bond to the exhaust stacks shall be made with an
exothermic weld or a mechanical connector UL listed for lightning protection use. Where
exhaust stacks are not in close proximity (6 feet) to a main conductor, they shall be bonded
directly to a ground rod in the EES.

3.7.6.4 Above Ground Fuel and Oil Storage Tanks.

Provisions shall be made to prevent direct lightning discharge to above ground storage tanks. A
separately mounted protection system should be provided where part of the above ground storage
tank extends outside the zone of protection provided by the facility lightning protection system.
When this is the case, a mast with an air terminal and/or elevated ground wires shall be used. In
all cases, mechanical connectors shall be used to bond fuel and vent piping with a 4/0AWG
copper conductor or if a 4/0 is not feasible then the largest feasible conductor. This conductor
shall be exothermically welded to the EES in accordance with paragraph 3.14.2.1.

3.7.7 Conductor Routing

Roof and down conductors shall maintain a horizontal or downward course. No bend or
connection in a roof or down conductor shall form an included angle of less than 90 degrees, nor
shall it have a bend radius of less than 8 in. (203 mm). Conductors shall be routed external to
buildings and 6 ft. (1.8 m) or more from power (including obstruction lighting power cables) or
signal conductors. T-connectors shall not be used to interconnect main conductors. All main
conductor transitions shall be swept so as to maintain the 8in or greater bend radius.

3.7.7.1 Down Conductors on Fiberglass Mounting Poles.

Where a fiberglass pole is used to mount an air terminal, the air terminal shall extend at least two
feet above the top of the pole and shall be securely fastened to the pole in accordance with the
requirements of NFPA 780. The down conductor from the air terminal shall be run on the
exterior of the fiberglass pole and shall be fastened to the pole at intervals not exceeding three
feet (0.9 m), the down conductor shall be connected to the EES in accordance with paragraph
3.7.8.

3.7.8 Down Conductor Terminations

Down conductors (see paragraph 3.7.3) used to ground air terminals and roof conductors, shall
be exothermically welded to a 4/0 AWG copper conductor prior to entering the ground. The 4/0
copper conductor shall enter the ground and be welded to a ground rod that is exothermically
welded to the EES. The ground rod shall be located 1 ft. (0.3 m) to 2 ft. (0.6 m) vertically below
ground level and from 2 ft. (0.6 m) to 6 ft. (1.8 m) outside the foundation or exterior footing of
the building. On buildings with overhangs, ground rods may be located further out.

3.7.9 Buildings
Lightning protection shall be provided for all buildings, or parts thereof, not within a zone of
protection provided by another building or higher part of a building, or by an antenna or tower.
Zones of protection for all structures shall be as defined in NFPA 780.

22
3.7.9.1 Air Terminals
Air terminals shall be solid copper, bronze, or aluminum, or, in areas of high corrosion, stainless
steel. Copper air terminals may be nickel-plated. Air terminals shall be a minimum of 12 in.
(305 mm) in height, at least 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) in diameter for copper and 5/8 in. (15.9 mm) in
diameter for aluminum, and shall have a rounded or “blunt” point. Air terminals shall be located
in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 780 and UL 96A. Air terminals shall extend at
least 10 in. above the object or area it is to protect. Air terminals shall be placed on the ridges of
pitched roofs and around the perimeter of flat or gently sloping roofs at intervals not exceeding
20 ft. (6 m) except that air terminals 24 in. (600 mm) or higher may be placed at intervals not
exceeding 25 ft. (7.6 m). Air terminals shall be bonded to the nearest roof or down conductor,
and connected to the EES in accordance with paragraph 3.7.8. At ATCTs over 100 feet in
height, a halo ring shall be provided around the handrail and horizontally mounted air terminals
shall be installed at each corner. The air terminals shall be bonded to the halo ring.

SAFETY NOTE:
The tip of the air terminals shall not be less than 5 ft. above adjacent walking
or working surfaces to avoid the risk of personnel injury.

3.7.9.2 Number of Down Conductors

Buildings less than fifty feet in height, with perimeters of 250 ft. (76 m) or less shall have at least
two down conductors. Tall structures, other than antenna towers, above fifty feet in height shall
have a minimum of four down conductors. Buildings with perimeters in excess of 250 ft. (76 m)
shall have one down conductor for each 100 ft. (30.5 m) of perimeter distance or part thereof.
Down conductors shall be as widely separated as possible, i.e. at diagonally opposite corners on
square or rectangular buildings The down conductors shall be equally spaced and be continuous
from the top of the structure to the EES without any sharp bends, splices or kinks. Building steel
and metal supporting structures, or conduits shall not be used in place of down conductors.

3.7.9.3 Metal Parts of Buildings

Metal roofing, structural steel, siding, eave troughs, down spouts, ladders, duct and similar metal
parts shall not be used as substitutes for roof or down conductors. A lightning conductor system
shall be applied to the metal roof and to the metal siding of a metal clad building in the same
manner as on a building without metal covering. Building metal parts shall be bonded in
accordance with paragraph 3.7.6.

3.7.9.4 Roof Mounted Antennas

If metallic, the mast of a roof- mounted antenna shall be bonded to the nearest roof or down
conductor using fittings and conductors that are UL listed for lightning protection. The bonding
jumper shall be of the same size and material as the roof or down conductor to which it is
connected. If a roof or down conductor is not available then the antenna mast shall be bonded
directly to the EES using fittings and conductors that are UL listed for lightning protection.

3.7.9.5 Radomes Not Mounted On Towers

A 150 ft radius Zone of Protection shall be established to include all Radome surfaces. This
shall be in accordance with NFPA-780.

23
3.7.10 Antenna Towers
Antenna towers shall be provided with lightning protection in accordance with the following:

3.7.10.1 Number of Down Conductors

Pole type towers shall have one down conductor. Towers that consist of multiple, parallel
segments or legs that sit on a single pad or footing not over nine square feet in area are
considered pole type towers. All other towers shall have at least two down conductors. Large
towers, such as radar towers, shall have one down conductor per leg. Down conductors on all
towers shall be bonded to each tower section. Down conductors shall be routed down the inside
of the legs wherever practical and secured at intervals not exceeding 3 ft. (0.9 m) in accordance
with paragraph 3.7.4.1. Down conductors shall terminate at the EES in accordance with
paragraph 3.7.8.

3.7.10.2 Towers without Radomes

Pole type towers shall be protected by at least one air terminal to provide a zone of protection for
all antennas located on the tower in accordance with NFPA 780. Protection may be provided for
large radar antennas by extending structural members above the antenna and mounting the air
terminal on top as shown in Figure 1. Structural members shall be braced as required and shall
not be used as part of the air terminal or down conductor. The air terminal shall be supported on
the structural member and shall have an UL listed fitting on its base. The down conductor from
the air terminal shall be connected to a perimeter cable that forms a loop around the perimeter of
the tower platform. Down conductors shall be run from the perimeter cable to the EES. Except
where only one down conductor is required, each air terminal shall be provided with at least two
paths to ground. All conductors shall be in accordance with NFPA 780 requirements for main
conductors. All tower legs shall be exothermically bonded to EES with a 4/0 copper cable.

3.7.10.3 Radomes
Radomes shall be located within a zone of protection established according to the 150 ft radius
“rolling sphere model” as further described in NFPA-780 paragraph 3.7.3 or FAA Order
6950.19a. This protection can be either from air terminals mounted on the radome or air
terminals or catenary wires mounted independently of the radome. When air terminals are
mounted on the radome they must have two paths to the EES. An equalization ring shall be
established at the radar antenna deck level.

24
 NOTES:

1. BOND DOWN CONDUCTORS TO EACH TOWER LEG SECTION. EXOTHERMICALLY

WELD DOWN CONDUCTOR TO A 4/0 AWG COPPER CONDUCTOR ABOVE GRADE.
ROUTE 4/0 CONDUCTOR THROUGH 1" PVC CONDUIT AROUND CONCRETE
PIER AND 12" BELOW GRADE. ALL CONDUCTOR BEND RADII MUST BE 8"
OR GREATER.

2. WHERE A RADOME HAS AN ELECTRICALLY CONTINUOUS FRAME, THE

FRAMING MAY BE USED IN LIEU OF THE LOWER AIR TERMINALS.

3. ALL LIGHTNING PROTECTION CONNECTIONS SHALL BE FREE OF PAINT AND

GALVANIZING. SCRAPE ALL STEEL FREE OF SURFACE CONTAMINANTS OR
SURFACE TREATMENTS PRIOR TO MAKING EXOTHERMIC WELDS.

Figure 1. Lightning Protection for Radomes and Radar Antenna Platforms

3.7.10.4 Towers with Radomes

Towers with spherical radomes shall be protected with a 2 ft. (0.62 m) air terminal at the peak
and four or more air terminals equally spaced around the circumference of the radome. The
spacing and quantity of the circumferential air terminals may be adjusted if the antenna pattern is
affected, but their sizing, position and height shall establish a protection zone as specified in
3.7.10.3. The circumferential air terminals shall be interconnected with a main sized conductor.
This conductor, labeled “Interconnecting Conductor” as indicated in Figure 1, shall be connected
to the air terminal on the peak. The “Interconnecting Conductor” shall also be connected to the
perimeter cable that forms a loop around the base of the radome. These interconnecting
conductors shall be run from the air terminal at the peak of the radome, in a path following the
contour of the radome, to the perimeter cable as shown in Figure 1. Deviations from the shortest
possible path may be used where near field radar analyses determine that interference from the

25
conductors will degrade the performance of the radar. Any bends in the interconnecting
conductors shall maintain the largest possible radii and in no case be less than 12 inches. One
down conductor per leg shall connect the perimeter cable at the base of the radome to the EES.
These down conductors shall be bonded to each leg section and exothermically welded to the
lowest section of each leg.

3.7.10.5 Antenna Protection

Air terminals shall be placed to protect structural towers and buildings, and antennas mounted to
towers and on buildings.

3.7.10.6 Tower Guying

All metallic guy wire systems without insulators shall be connected to the EES. Cathodic
protection for metallic anchors, either active or passive is advisable at facilities particularly those
with a large EES.

3.7.10.6.1 Low Conductivity Anchors

On guy wires terminating in low conductivity anchors (such as concrete), a jumper of the same
material as the guy wire shall be mechanically bonded to each guy wire above its lowest
turnbuckle. Where multiple guy wires terminate on a single anchor, the jumper may daisy chain
through the guy wires. The jumper shall be exothermically welded to a 3/4 inch by 10foot
ground rod that is exothermically welded to the EES. Mechanically bonded jumpers of the same
material as the guy wire shall be placed across any intermediate turnbuckles in a guy wire. All
jumper connections to the guy wires shall be made with appropriate compatible connectors that
do not create a corrosion cell.

3.7.10.6.2 Metallic Anchors

A jumper, of the same material as the guy wire, shall be bonded across each turnbuckle in the
guy wire with appropriate compatible connectors that do not create a corrosion cell.

3.7.10.7 Waveguide, Axial Line, and Conduit Protection

Waveguide, axial line, and conduit located on the tower and feeding into the facility shall be
separately bonded to a ground plate mounted on the tower or directly to the EES. This bond
shall be at a point no greater than 2 feet above the transition bend (90 degree bend) near the
tower’s base. The ground plate shall be bonded to the EES with a #4/0 AWG copper cable in
accordance with the requirement in paragraph 3.6.7.2. A separate bond shall be made from the
point of origin within the tower structure of each waveguide, axial line, or conduit to the metallic
tower structure.

3.7.10.8 Staircase/Ladder Protection

The metallic access, i.e., staircase, ladder, etc., shall be exothermically bonded, near its base, to
the EES with a #4/0 AWG copper conductor installed in a location that prevents accidental trips
or strikes that could result in personnel injury. Where staircase sections are not welded together,
bonding jumpers shall be installed between sections.

26
3.7.11 Fences
Grounding and bonding of fences shall be done to all areas where personnel may come in contact
with the metallic fence structure or fabric or where a significant step or touch potential may be
present.

3.7.11.1 Fences and Gates Requiring a Counterpoise

Any fence that is within a horizontal distance equal to one and one-half times the height of the
tallest structure shall be bonded and grounded as shown in Figure 2. Fences made of conducting
material, i.e. chain link fabric, metal crossbar, stranded wire, shall be constructed using metal
posts which extend a minimum of 2 ft. (0.6 m) below grade. Gates shall have a 1 in. by 1/8 in.
flexible tinned copper bond strap or an insulated #4/0 AWG flexible (welding) copper cable that
is bonded to the adjacent post (exothermic welding is recommended). The posts at each side of
the gate shall also be exothermically welded, at a height no greater than 1 foot above grade, to
their respective ground rods with a #4/0 AWG bare copper cable. The bonding strap to the post
shall be installed so as not to limit full motion of the gate (whether swing or slide type). An
exothermically welded 4/0 AWG bare copper conductor shall also connect the ground rods to the
EES. Metallic fence fabric with non-conductive coatings shall not be used. A horizontal bare #6
AWG stranded copper conductor, shall be woven through the fencing fabric and shall be
mechanically bonded to the fence posts at intervals not greater than 40 feet. The fence posts with
these bonds and fence posts adjacent to gates shall be bonded to the EES with a #4/0 AWG bare
copper cable exothermically welded at each end. Additionally, a horizontal bare #6 AWG
stranded copper conductor shall be woven continuously through the gate fabric and mechanically
bonded to the gate rails. The method of bonding a fence is illustrated in Figure 2. This method
requires a counterpoise around the facility and an additional outer counterpoise around and
within 3 feet of the fence. The two counterpoise systems shall be connected together in as many
places as possible (4 minimum for a small facility <75 ft. square, 8 minimum for a large facility
>75 ft. square) to further equalize the step potentials within the facility.

3.7.11.2 Fences and Gates Not Requiring a Counterpoise

When a fence constructed of conducting materials is not located within a horizontal distance
equal to one and one- half times the height of the tallest structure it shall be constructed using
metal posts that extend a minimum of 2 ft. (0.6 m) below grade. Gates shall have a 1 in. by 1/8
in. flexible tinned copper bond strap or an insulated #4/0 AWG flexible (welding) copper cable
that is bonded to the adjacent post (exothermic welding is recommended). The posts at each side
of the gate shall also be exothermically welded, at a height no greater than 1 foot above grade, to
their respective ground rods with a #4/0 AWG bare copper cable. The bonding strap to the post
shall be installed so as not to limit full motion of the gate (whether swing or slide type). A #4/0
AWG cable shall interconnect the ground rods at either side of the gate.

27
 Figure 2. Grounding a Fence

3.7.11.3 Overhead Power Line Considerations

When a fence constructed of conducting material is crossed by overhead power lines, and is not
within a horizontal distance equal to one and one-half times the height of the tallest structure, the
fence shall be bonded on each side of the crossing to a ground rod with a bare #4 AWG solid
copper protective conductor as shown in Figure 2. These protective- grounding connections shall
be a minimum of 20 ft. from the overhead wire crossing and on each side of the crossing. For a
chain link fence, the fabric shall be bonded to these conductors at the top, middle and bottom and
at each strand of security wire placed above the fencing fabric. Where cross bars or stranded wire
is used, each horizontal strand or cross bar shall be bonded to the conductors. Ends of the
protective conductors shall be connected, using exothermic welds to their respective ground rods
and the other ends of the conductors shall be connected to the top of the fence.

28
3.7.12 Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT).
ATCTs, as shown in Figure 3 having electronic areas in the cab, junction and sub-junction levels
at the top of the shaft and also in the associated base building present a unique set of challenges
for implementing lightning and transient protection. The numerous conductors running between
electronic equipment located in the base building and beneath the tower cab are subject to large
electromagnetic fields during a lightning strike. For this reason, special techniques must be
applied to provide an environment that minimizes the damaging effects of lightning. These
techniques are mandatory for ATCT facilities over 100' in height with base buildings, and in
isokeraunic areas of 30 thunderstorm days annually or greater.

3.7.12.1 General.
The lightning protection, electrical, electromechanical, electronic systems, and building steel of
structures must be bonded together for safety. The National Electrical Code (NEC) NFPA-70 as
well as this and other FAA Standards and Orders mandate this bonding. It is not possible for
equipment near the top of the tower and at the base to have the same electrical potential during a
lightning strike. It is therefore necessary to reference all systems at the top of the tower to each
other and treat this area as a separate facility.

3.7.12.2 Main Ground Plate and Power Distribution.

In order to assure good high frequency grounding during normal operation a low impedance
connection must be provided to the EES. A main ground plate shall be established on the lowest
level with electrical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment serving the ATCT cab (See
Figure 3). All grounding systems present at or above this level within the ATCT shall be
connected to this main ground plate. A 1-foot wide #26 gauge or thicker copper strap shall
connect this main ground plate to a plate at the base of the ATCT. This base plate shall be
grounded via 2 ea. 500 kcmil cables exothermically welded to the base plate and to the EES.
This strap will provide 2 ft2 of surface per lineal foot of conductor and shall be routed
continuously from the main ground plate to the base plate without sharp bends, loops, kinks, or
splices. A combination of smaller conductors providing the same surface area per lineal foot
may be substituted. This conductor shall be mechanically bonded to the main ground plate and
the base plate. The strap should be sandwiched between the plate at each end and a 1'x1"x1/8"
copper backing to insure good electrical contact and mechanical strength. The connection from
the base plate to the EES shall be accomplished in an access well to facilitate periodic inspection.
All power distribution for the areas at the top of the ATCT shall be via separately derived
source(s). These separately derived source(s) shall be grounded in accordance with the
requirements of NEC article 250. The Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC) specified in NEC
article 250 shall be connected to the grounded and grounding conductors at the first system
disconnecting means or overcurrent device. This point of connection is mandated to facilitate
the effective installation of an SPD. An SPD rated at 80kA (8x20 microsecond current
waveform) surge capability or greater, suitable for location category C3 per IEEE C62.41-1991,
and providing protection L-L and L-N shall be installed on the load side of the first
disconnecting means or overcurrent device of each separately derived system. The ground bus at
the first disconnecting means or overcurrent device shall be bonded to the junction level main
ground plate established in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph. This connection
shall not be in lieu of the grounding electrode conductor requirements of NEC article 250.

29
 Figure 3. Airport Traffic Control Tower Levels

3.7.12.3 Roof, Structural Steel, Reinforcing, and Other Metal Element Bonding.
Metal elements composing the ATCT roof and its supporting structure, reinforcing bar (rebar) in
both horizontal and vertical elements, building steel, and metal sheathing shall be bonded
together so as to provide a "Faraday Cage". Particular care shall be taken to insure that all
penetrations of the Faraday cage are bonded to the cage at their point of entry. All rebar within
the tower shaft shall be tied together and where precast reinforced concrete panels are used, the
rebar shall be tied between panels at least once per 4 feet. Rebar in the floors, overheads,
corrugated decking, and footers shall likewise be tied to the rebar in the vertical elements. These
ties serve as a means of bonding of the rebar. This bonding is necessary to establish both the
Faraday Cage and to provide a secondary-grounding path for high frequency equipment.

3.7.12.4 Signal, Communications, Axial Cables and Control Line Protection.

For purposes of lightning and transient protection cables running up the tower shaft in open
raceways are considered totally exposed to lightning related phenomeno n. For this reason
transient protection must be applied at each end of these cables. This protection shall be
installed where the cables enter the equipment room near the top of the ATCT and where they
enter the associated base building. Cables between the equipment rooms and tower cab area
shall be protected in accordance with paragraph 3.6. Both facility and equipment levels of
protection shall be provided for these lines. Enclosing metallic cabling in RGS or the use of all
dielectric fiber optic cable can significantly reduce the threat of lightning related damage to
ATCT and base building circuits.

30
3.7.12.5 Signal Grounding.
The signal grounding system for the ATCT cab and associated electronic equipment rooms
consist of both single point and multipoint elements. The single point grounding system is most
frequently used in conjunction with the audio and associated switching equipment. The
multipoint ground system is used for most other electronic equipment. All grounds present
within the operational or equipment levels shall be bonded together on the lowest level with
electrical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment serving the ATCT cab (See Figure 3).

3.7.12.6 Multipoint Ground.

A multipoint ground system consisting of either a raised access floor with below floor signal
reference grid (SRG) or, where a raised access floor is not used, a copper sheet equipotential
plane (EPP) shall be installed in:
a) All facility operational equipment areas
b) All other areas containing electronic equipment supporting facility operations.
The above operational and electronic equipment - and all electrical equipment in those areas -
shall be bonded to the SRG or EPP installations in the area. In turn, all installed SRG's and
EPP's - on the same floor and on different floors - shall be bonded together.
c) Any area containing electrical equipment installed to address power quality (e.g., isolation
transformers, power conditioning equipment, etc.) not in the same area as the operational or
electronic equipment (on different floors, etc.) shall be bonded to the SRG/EPP system.

The SRG shall consist of 2" wide copper strips arranged in a grid on 2' centers. Connections
from the SRG to the access floor pedestals shall be on a six foot spacing. The EPP shall be
either in or on the floor. Floor coverings of either tile or carpeting shall be of static dissipative
material that is properly installed per manufacturers' specifications and connected to a
component of the Multipoint Ground (MPG) system or to the Signal Reference Grid (SRG).
4
The floor covering should have a surface-to-surface resistivity (Rtt) of between 25 kΩ (2.5x10 )
8
per square (minimum) and 100 MΩ (1x10 ) per square (maximum) and be tested at a minimum
semiannually in accordance with the test method specified in ANSI/ESD S7.1-1994, "Floor
Materials --Resistive Characterization of Materials." Individual areas of the multipoint ground
system on a single floor shall be bonded to adjacent areas via at least two separate paths
2
providing a minimum of 2 ft of surface area per lineal foot of conductor per path. The
grounding system on each floor with electrical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment shall
2
be bonded to adjacent floors via at least two separate paths providing a minimum of 2 ft of
surface area per lineal foot of conductor per path.

3.7.12.7 Single Point Grounding.

Single point ground systems, if required for the electronic equipment to be installed, shall be
constructed in accordance with paragraph 3.11.7.1 of this document. All single point ground
systems and independent ground systems mandated by equipment manufacturers shall be
bonded to the ATCT junction level main ground plate established in accordance with the
requirements of this paragraph. All electronic grounding systems at a facility shall be bonded
together to prevent the possibility of large voltage differentials between equipment during a
lightning strike.

31
3.8 Earth Electrode System (EES) Requirements

3.8.1 General
An EES shall be installed at each facility to provide a low resistance to earth for lightning
discharges, electrical and electronic equipment grounding, power fault currents and surge and
transient protection. The EES shall be capable of dissipating within the earth the energy of direct
lightning strikes with no ensuing degradation to itself. The system shall dissipate DC, AC and
RF currents from equipment and facility grounding conductors.

3.8.2 Site Survey

A site survey shall be conducted for all sit es to determine the geological and other physical
characteristics. Information to be collected shall include location of rock formations, gravel
deposits, soil types etc. A soil resistivity test shall be performed at distances of 10, 20, 30 and 40
foot (3,6,9 and 12m) spacing in four directions from the proposed facility. All survey data,
including soil restivity measurements, shall be noted on a scaled drawing or sketch of the site
and included in the facility reference data file (FRDF). Additional guidance may be found in
FAA Orders 6950.19 and 6950.20.

3.8.3 Design
The EES shall normally consist of driven ground rods, buried interconnecting cables and
connections to underground metallic pipes, tanks and structural members of buildings that are
effectively grounded. The site survey required in Paragraph 3.9.2 shall be used as the basis for
the design of the EES. The design goal for the resistance to earth of the EES shall be as low as
practicable and not over 10 ohms. Where conditions are encountered, such as rock near the
surface, shallow soils, permafrost and soils with low moisture or mineral content the ground
enhancements listed in paragraphs 3.8.3.1 through 3.8.3.5 may be necessary.

3.8.3.1 Chemical Enhancements.

Chemical enhancements (doping) with materials such as mineral salts, Epsom salts, sulfates, etc.
should only be utilized as a last resort. Chemical enhancement is dependent on soil moisture
content and requires periodic (usually yearly) re-treatment and continuous monitoring to be
effective. The chemicals leach into the surrounding soil and can be deposited into the water
table. Typical installation is in bored holes with ground rods and in trenches.

3.8.3.2 Chemical Rods.

Chemical rods also require re-treatment and monitoring to ensure continuous effectiveness.
Many of these systems require a drip irrigation system in dry soil conditions. Inspections must be
done frequently for excessive corrosion at connection points between the conductor and the
chemical rod attachment point. Normal installation is insertion into the soil in accordance with
manufacturer's instructions.

3.8.3.3 Engineered Soils.

Engineered soils are soils or clays treated with a variety of materials to enhance their conductive
properties. These engineered soils may be a mixture of moisture absorbing materials such as
Bentonite, homogenous clays in combination with native soils and/or chemicals. Some
engineered soil enhancements utilize ferro-concrete based materials. These materials should be

32
avoided in areas with soil movement. The concrete can break the interconnecting conductor
when combined with soil movement. Engineered soils require the presence of moisture (> 14%)
in the soil to be effective. The ferro-concrete type enhancement can be very expensive. Normal
installation is installation in bored holes with ground rods and in trenches.

3.8.3.4 Ground Dissipation Plates

In shallow soil locations with limited surface space, ground dissipation plates must be installed
to supplement the earth electrode system. The plates, installed at the corners of the EES, provide
a large surface area of high conductivity at the farthest accessible point from the facility to be
protected. This allows the available energy to travel away from the facility. Plates should be
constructed of one quarter-inch thick copper and be a minimum of two feet square. These plates
should be installed in a vertical plane to take advantage of seasonal moisture and temperature
changes in the soil. Install the plates at the same depth or deeper than the interconnecting
conductor, but maintain a minimum of one- foot of native soil above the upper edge of the plate.
Attachment to the EES should be with a 4/0 AWG 7-strand copper conductor, exothermically
welded to the EES and the plate. For maximum performance, the attachment point at the plate
should be at the center of the plate, not near the edge or the corners. To further enhance the
effectiveness of ground dissipation plates, they may be configured as a Jordan Dissipation Plate,
(JDP) with “pinking shear edges” as in Figure 4. This configuration provides 2/3 more surface
area at the edge than a square plate and provides multiple sharp points for increased dissipation
capability. In difficult soils/areas a combination of coke breeze trenches and dissipative plates is
highly recommended (see Figure 4 and Figure 5).

3.8.3.5 Coke Breeze

Coke breeze is a material that is produced as a by-product of coke production. Coke is used in
the smelting of metals. It is mainly fixed base carbon. All the corrosives and volatiles have been
cooked off at extremely high temperatures. Coke breeze is environmentally safe, stable, and
conductive when completely dry or frozen, non-moisture dependant, compactable and very
economical to install. Normal installation is in a one-foot square trench in a counterpoise
configuration with a continuous 4/0 AWG 7-strand copper cond uctor in the center of the material
(see Figure 5). Placement of the trench is based on the geometry of the facility and the physical
site location. Radial trenches with a center conductor can be utilized to enhance Radio
Frequency (RF) ground planes in communication facilities. The top of the coke breeze trench
must be covered by a minimum of one foot of native soil. Neither charcoal nor petroleum based
coke breeze may be substituted for coke breeze derived from coal in coke ovens. Charcoal and
petroleum coke typically contains high levels of sulfur, which in the presence of moisture will
accelerate corrosion.

33
Figure 4. Ground Plate Detail

34
 Figure 5. Grounding Trench Detail

3.8.3.6 Installation of Earth Electrode Systems in Corrosive Soils

Careful consideration must be given to the installation of any grounding system in soils with
corrosive elements. Two geological areas of known concern are the volcanic soils in Hawaii and
Alaska. It is recommended that supplemental cathodic protection be applied to the grounding
system at these locations. A buried steel plate (acting as a sacrificial anode) is connected to the
EES by a 7-strand 4/0AWG bare copper conductor. The 4/0 conductor should be exothermically
welded to the EES and to the sacrificial plate. The conductor should be welded to the center of
the plate, not near the edge or near the corners. Minimum sizing for the sacrificial plate is four
foot square (4'x4') @ ½ inc h thickness. In shallow soils, this would be in addition to the standard
copper dissipation plates. For enhanced performance sacrificial plates may be configured as a
JDP (see Figure 4).

3.8.4 Configuration
The EES shall consist of at least four ground rods whose configuration and depth shall be
determined by a soil test included in the site survey. At facilities that have two or more
structures, i.e. a building and antenna tower, separated by 15- ft. (4.5 m) or less, a single EES
surrounding both structures shall be provided. Where structures are separated by more than 15-
ft. (4.6 m) but less than 30- ft. (8.2 m), the EESs may share a common side. Where the structures
are separated by more than 30- ft. (8.2 m) an EES shall surround each structure and the EESs
shall be interconnected by at least two buried cables. Guidelines are provided in FAA Orders
6950.19 and 6950.20.

3.8.5 Ground rods

Ground rods and their installation shall meet the following requirements:

35
3.8.5.1 Material and Size
Ground rods shall be copper or copper clad steel, a minimum of 10 ft. in length and 3/4 in. in
diameter. Rod cladding shall not be less than 1/100 in. thick.

3.8.5.2 Spacing
Ground rods shall be as widely spaced as possible, and in no case spaced less than one rod
length. Nominal spacing between rods should be between two and three times rod length.

3.8.5.3 Depth of Rods

Tops of ground rods shall be not less than 1-ft. (0.3 m) below grade level.

3.8.5.4 Location
Ground rods shall be located 2 to 6 ft. (0.6 to 1.8 m) outside the fo undation or exterior footing of
the structure. On buildings with overhangs, ground rods may be located further out.

3.8.6 Interconnections
Ground rods shall be interconnected by a buried, bare, #4/0 AWG 7-strand copper cable. The
cable shall be buried at least 2 ft. (0.6 m) below grade level. Connections to the ground rods
shall be exothermically welded. The interconnecting cable shall close on itself forming a
complete loop with the ends exothermically welded. The structural steel of buildings shall be
connected to the EES at approximately every other column at intervals not over 60 ft. (18.3 m)
with a bare, #4/0 AWG 7-strand copper cable. Connections shall be by exothermic welds. The
grounding electrode conductor (GEC) for the electric service, sized in accordance with the NEC
requirement for grounding electrode conductors, but shall not be smaller than #2 AWG and shall
be connected to a ground rod in the EES with an exothermic weld in accordance with paragraph
3.12.2(a). For services greater than 200 amps, the minimum size of the GEC shall be #4/0 AWG
copper cable. All underground metallic pipes and tanks (unless cathodically protected), and the
telephone ground, if present, shall be connected to the EES by a copper cable no smaller than #2
AWG. Where routed underground, interconnecting cables shall be bare. Exothermic welds shall
not be used where hazards exist, i.e. near fuel tanks. In these cases, connections using 14-ton
pressure connectors will be allowed. Bonding resistance of all interconnections shall be one (l)
milliohm or less for each bond when measured with a 4-terminal milliohm meter.

3.8.7 Access Well

Access wells are permissible at facilities. The well should be located at a ground rod that is in an
area with access to the open soil so that checks of the EES can be made once the facility is in
use. The access well shall be made from clay pipe, poured concrete, or other approved wall
material and shall have a removable cover. The access well shall be constructed to provide a
minimum clearance (12 inches radius) from the center of the ground rod to the inside wall of the
access well. The opening shall equal or exceed the minimum clearance required for the access
well. Connections shall be by exothermic welds.

3.9 Main Ground Plate

A Main Ground Plate shall be established as the main collection plate for the multipoint ground
system and the single point ground system for the entire facility. This Main Ground Plate shall

36
be connected to the EES via 2 ea. 500 kcmil cables. The cables from the main ground plate to
the EES shall be exothermically welded at the EES and shall be exothermically welded or
connected with UL listed pressure connectors to the plate. The Ground plate location shall be
chosen to minimize cable length, but shall not exceed 50 feet. Ground plates shall be copper and
at least 12 in. (305 mm) long, 6 in. (152 mm) wide and 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) thick. The Main Ground
Plate shall have a clear plastic cover that bears the caption “MAIN GROUND PLATE” in black
3/8-in high (10mm) characters and green slashes around the caption. The Main Ground Cable
shall have a solid green color.

3.10 Electronic Multipoint Ground System Requirements

3.10.1 General
All FAA enclosed building facilities used in the operation of the NAS shall have a multipoint
ground system. The protection of electronic equipment against potential differences and static
charge buildup shall be provided by interconnecting all non-current-carrying metal objects to an
electronic multipoint ground system that is effectively connected to the EES. The multipoint
ground for electronic equipment systems consists of electronic equipment, racks, frames,
cabinets, conduits, raceways, wireways, cable trays enclosing electronic conductors, structural
steel members, and conductors used for interconnections. The electronic multipoint ground
system shall provide multiple low impedance paths to the EES as well as between various parts
of the facility, and the electronic equipment within the facility so that any point within the
system is tightly connected (electrically speaking) to the EES. This will minimize the effects of
spurious currents that may be present in the ground system due to equipment operation or
malfunction, or from lightning discharges. The multipoint ground system shall not be used in
lieu of the safety ground required by the NEC. Single point electronic grounds shall not connect
to the multipoint ground system, except as specifically permitted by paragraph 3.11. The
multipoint ground system is not to be used as a signal return path. A typical ground system is
shown in Figure 6. Facility Grounding System.

Exception: For enclosures housing facilities or equipment 100 ft2 or less in area, a multipoint
ground system is not required. Instead, a main ground plate shall be established and connected
to the EES with a 4/0AWG conductor. All signal grounding (single point or multipoint) shall
terminate on this point.

3.10.2 Facilities Requiring a Signal Reference Structure (SRS)

All new facilities, whose operational and electronic equipment areas exceed a total of 400 ft2 ,
shall be equipped with a Signal Reference Structure (SRS) installed in accordance with
paragraph 3.10.2.1. This SRS shall serve as the multipoint ground system for those areas so
equipped. As areas are renovated in facilities meeting the above area criterion they shall be
equipped with an SRS. In areas where an SRS is installed in accordance wit h the requirements
of this paragraph, multipoint ground plates are not required.

37
3.10.2.1 Equipotential Planes in New Facilities
The SRS to be installed in new facilities shall consist of a grid of 2” wide, thin (26 gauge or
thicker) copper strips, laid on a 2’ grid, below a rigid or bolted stringer, computer access floor.
The grid and access floor shall be bonded together at least every 6’. A #4/0 AWG bare copper
cable shall be run around the perimeter of all areas, within 6”of the wall, where this SRS is
utilized. Bond this perimeter cable to the below floor grid at every intersection. All building
structural steel, such as columns, within 6 feet of the grid shall be bonded to the grid with a #4/0
AWG or larger conductor. All concrete encased steel, in new FAA construction, shall be
equipped with a grounding terminal. All conduits, wireways, pipes, cable trays, or other metallic
elements that penetrate the area shall be bonded to the grid where they enter the area and every
25 feet for their entire length. All conduits, wireways, pipes, cable trays, or other metallic
elements within 6 feet of the grid shall be bonded to the grid. The concrete floor beneath the
copper grid shall be prepared by coating the floor with white epoxy paint. This coating helps to
limit corrosion of the grid and improves below floor visibility. Thus, an equipotential plane is
created by the interconnection of the access floor system (with metal backed panels); below floor
grid; structural steel elements and electrical supporting structures.

Figure 6. Facility Grounding System

38
3.10.2.2 SRS Methods in Existing Facilities
In existing FAA facilities it may not be feasible to implement the techniques used to install an
equipotential plane as specified the paragraph 3.10.2.1. In these cases the alternative methods
described in IEEE 1100-1999 paragraph 8.5.4 and its subparagraphs shall be used.

3.10.2.3 Bonding Electronic Equipment to The SRS

Signal grounding connections for all equipment, especially electronic equipment, to the SRS,
may be either to the below floor grid or directly to the access floor system or alternatively to the
SRS as constructed in paragraph 3.10.2.1. To prevent the possibility of problems due to
resonance of a single bonding strap, two widely spaced straps of unequal length shall be used to
connect the equipment to the SRS. Bonding straps shall be at least ¾” wide and at least #26
gauge. Bonding shall be in accordance with paragraph 3.14.3.

3.10.2.4 Facilities without SRS

New facilities which do not meet the area criterion in paragraph 3.10.2 and existing FAA
facilities which have not been upgraded shall be equipped with a multipoint ground system
consisting of cables and plates in accordance with paragraph 3.10.3.

3.10.3 Ground Plates, Cables and Protection

The electronic multipoint ground system shall not replace the NEC mandated equipment
grounding conductor routed with the phase and neutral conductors. At least two connections
between the multipoint ground system and the EES shall be provided. One connection shall be
provided by a 500 kcmil or equivalent copper cable connected between the main ground plate
and the EES. A 500 kcmil or equivalent copper cable, connected between the EES and a
supplemental ground plate on the opposite side of the facility shall provide a second connection
to the EES. A supplemental ground plate, exothermically welded to building steel and grounded
in accordance with paragraph 3.8.6 may be substituted for this second connection to the EES.
The cables from the main ground plate and the supplemental ground plate to the EES shall be
exothermically welded at the EES and shall be exothermically welded or connected with UL
listed pressure connectors to the plates. Connection points shall be chosen to minimize cable
length, but shall not exceed 50 feet. In steel structures, additional connections shall be made
between each ground plate or bus and the structural steel.

3.10.3.1 Ground Plates and Buses

A ground plate shall be used when a centralized connection point is desired. The location shall
be chosen to facilitate the interconnection of all equipment cabinets, racks and cases within a
particular area. If more than one ground plate is required, they shall be installed at various
locations within the facility. Ground buses shall be used when distributed grounding is desired
with a long row of equipment cabinets. Ground plates shall be copper and at least 12 in. (305
mm) long, 6 in. (152 mm) wide and 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) thick. Ground bus width and thickness
shall be selected from Table III, Size of Electronic Multipoint Ground Cables, according to the
length required. Ground plates and buses shall be identified with a permanently attached plastic
or metal label that is predominantly green with distinguishing bright orange slashes. The label
shall bear the caption “ELECTRONIC MULTIPOINT GROUND SYSTEM” in black 3/8- in.
high (10 mm) characters.

39
3.10.3.2 Ground Conductors (Plate to Plate and Plate to Bus)
Conductors between plates and buses in the multipoint system shall be sized in accordance with
Table III based on the maximum path length to the farthest point in the multipoint ground system
from the EES. To determine the distance to the farthest point in the multipoint system, add the
length of all cables in the multipoint system to reach the farthest plate in the system via the
longest path as shown in Figure 7. Divide the sum obtained by two to obtain the maximum path
length. Utilize this path length to determine the conductor size from Table III, but in no case
smaller than #4/0 AWG. These conductors shall be color coded green with a bright orange tracer
or shall be clearly marked for 4 in. at each end and wherever exposed with a green tape overlaid
with a bright orange tracer. Where routed through raceways or wireways, the color-coding shall
be visible by opening any cover. Where conductors are routed through cable trays, color-coding
4 in. long shall be provided at intervals not exceeding 3 ft. The use of uninsulated (bare)
conductors are not permitted inside structures, except when used for short grounding jumpers,
bonding jumpers, and similar items, that are not enclosed in conduit or raceway.

Figure 7. Multipoint Ground Cable Size Determination

3.10.3.3 Ground Conductors (Plate and Bus to Equipment).

Conductors from plates and buses in the multipoint system to equipment chassis shall be sized in
accordance with Table III based on the maximum path length from the plate or bus to the
equipment. . These conductors shall be color coded green with a bright orange tracer or shall be
clearly marked for 4 in. at each end and wherever exposed with a green tape overlaid with a
bright orange tracer. Where routed through raceways or wireways, the color-coding shall be
visible by opening any cover. Where conductors are routed through cable trays, color-coding 4
in. long shall be provided at intervals not exceeding 3 ft. The use of uninsulated (bare)

40
conductors are not permitted inside structures, except when used for short grounding jumpers,
bonding jumpers, and similar items, that are not enclosed in conduit or raceway.

3.10.3.4 Protection
Provide mechanical protection for all cables in the electronic multipoint ground system where
they may be subject to damage. This protection may be provided by conduit, floor trenches,
routing behind permanent structural members, or other means as applicable. Where routed
through metal conduit, the conduit shall be bonded to the cable at each end.

Table III. Size of Electronic Multipoint Ground Interconnecting Conductors

Cable Size Max. Path Length Bus Bar Size Max. Path Length
Ft. (m) Inch (mm) Ft. (m)
750 kcmil* 375 (114.3) 4 x 1/4 (100 x 6.4) 636 (193.9)
600 kcmil* 300 (91.4) 4 x 1/8 (100 x 3.2) 318 (96.9)
500 kcmil 250 (76.2) 3 x 1/4 (75 x 6.4) 476 (145.1)
350 kcmil 175 (53.3) 3 x 1/8 (75 x 3.2) 238 (72.5)
300 kcmil 150 (45.7) 2 x 1/4 (50 x 6.4) 318 (96.9)
250 kcmil 125 (38.1) 2 x 1/8 (50 x 3.2) 159 (48.5)
4/0 AWG 105 (32.0) 2 x 1/16 (50 x 1.6) 79 (24.1)
3/0 AWG 84 (25.6) 1 x 1/4 (25 x 6.4) 159 (48.5)
2/0 AWG 66 (20.1) 1 x 1/8 (25 x 3.2) 79 (24.1)
1/0 AWG 53 (16.2) 1 x 1/16 (25 x 1.6) 39 (11.9)
1 AWG 41 (12.5)
2 AWG 33 (10.1)
4 AWG 21 (6.4)
6 AWG 13 (4.0)

NOTE: kcmil* - Where these cables are not available, parallel cables may be used such as three 250 kcmil cables in
place of one 750 kcmil cable, or two 300 kcmil cables in place of one 600 kcmil cable. The cable sizing is based on
providing a cross-sectional area of 2000 circular mils per linear foot. The bus bar sizes are based on providing a
cross-sectional area of 2000 cmil per linear foot.

3.10.3.5 Conductor Labeling

All multipoint ground system conductors shall be identified at each end. The source end shall
indicate the point of utilization. The point of utilization termination shall be labeled indicating
the source of the conductor. This shall be accomplished by either shrink embossed label or by a
tie on tag. These conductors shall also be tagged every 50 ft. and in junction boxes in the
manner above.

3.10.4 Building Structural Steel

All major structural members such as building columns, wall frames, roof trusses of steel frame
buildings and other metal structures shall be made electrically continuous by bonding each major
joint and interconnection in accordance with paragraph 3.14. The structural steel shall be
connected to the EES as specified in paragraph 3.8.6. See also Figure 6

41
3.10.4.1 Metal Building Elements
The requirements of this paragraph apply to facilities which have sensitive receiver or computing
systems and are located in areas where radiation from radar or other high power transmitters is
expected. Metal building elements and attachments such as walls, roofs, floors, door and
window frames, gratings and other architectural features shall be directly bonded to structural
steel in accordance with paragraph 3.14. Where direct bonding is not practical, indirect bonds
with copper cable conforming to Table III shall be used. Removable or adjustable parts and
objects shall be grounded with an appropriate type bond strap as specified in paragraph 3.14.3.
All bonds shall conform to the requirements of paragraph 3.14. Metal elements with a maximum
dimension of 3 ft. (0.9 m) or less are exempt from the requirements of this paragraph.

3.10.5 Interior Metallic Piping Systems

The interior metallic cold water piping system shall be bonded in accordance with the NEC. A
bond shall be required at the upper level of tower cabs. Where there is a separately derived
power source for the tower cab, the interior metallic piping systems near the top of the ATCT,
shall be referenced to the ground plate at the subjunction level.

3.10.5.1 Ground Connections

UL listed pressure clamps shall be used to bond pipes and tubes to the equipment ground system.
In highly humid or corrosive atmospheres, adequate protection against corrosion shall be
provided in accordance with paragraph 3.14.9. Do not use building main incoming water pipe as
sole earth electrode reference. Many buried metal water pipes are coated with (insulating)
corrosion-resistant fibers or are connected to buried plastic pipe, making the main incoming
water pipe unsuitable as a primary earth electrode.

3.10.6 Electrical Supporting Structures

A11 metallic electrical support structures shall be electrically continuous and shall be directly
bonded to the electronic multipoint ground system and to the EES.

3.10.6.1 Conduit
All metal conduit used for electronic signal and control wiring shall be grounded as follows:

(a) Conduit shall have a means to be bonded, prior to entering a structure, to a ground plate or
bulkhead plate located outside the structure or directly to the EES. Plate(s) shall be bonded
to the EES with an insulated 4/0 copper cable. Flexible conduits shall have a bonding jumper
installed on the outside of the conduit.

(b) All joints between conduit sections and between conduit, fittings, and boxes shall be
electrically continuous. All pipe and locknut threads shall be treated with a conductive
lubricant rated for the metal prior to assembly. Surfaces shall be prepared in accordance with
paragraph 3.14.8. Joints that are not otherwise electrically continuous shall be bonded with
short jumpers of #6 AWG or larger copper wire. The jumpers shall be welded or brazed in
place or shall be attached with clamps, split bolts, grounding bushings, or other devices
approved for the purpose. A11 bonds shall be protected against corrosion in accordance with
paragraph 3.14.9.4.

42
(c) Cover plates of conduit fittings, pull boxes, junction boxes, and outlet boxes shall be
grounded by securely tightening all available screws.

(d) Every component of metallic conduit runs such as individual sections, couplings, line
fittings, pull boxes, junction boxes and outlet boxes shall be bonded, either directly or
indirectly, to the electronic multipoint ground system or facility steel at intervals not
exceeding 50 ft. (15 m).

(e) Conduit brackets and hangers shall be securely bonded to the conduit and to the metal
structure to which they are attached.

3.10.6.2 Cable Trays and Wireways

The individual sections of all cable tray systems for electronic conductors shall be bonded
together with a minimum #6 AWG insulated copper conductor and each support bracket or
hanger shall be bonded to the cable trays, which they support. All bonds shall be in accordance
with procedures and requirements specified in paragraph 3.14. All tray assemblies for electronic
conductors shall be connected, either directly or indirectly, to the electronic multipoint ground
system or properly grounded facility steel within 2 ft (0.6 m) of each end of the run and at
intervals not exceeding 50 ft. (15m). The resistance of each of these connections shall not
exceed 5 milliohms. The minimum size, bonding conductor for connection of a cable tray and
wireway to the MPG shall be #2 AWG copper conductor.

3.10.7 Secure Facilities

In all areas of facilities required to maintain communications security, equipment and power
systems shall be grounded in accordance with NACSIM-5203 and MIL HB232A.

3.10.8 Multipoint Grounding of Electronic Equipment

When permitted by circuit design requirements, all internal ground references shall be directly
bonded to the chassis and the equipment case. Where mounted in a rack, cabinet or enclosure,
the electronic equipment case shall be bonded to the racks, cabinet or enclosure in accordance
with paragraph 3.13.1. The DC resistance between any two points within a chassis or electronic
equipment cabinet serving as ground shall be less than 25 milliohms total or 2.5 milliohms per
joint. Shields shall be provided as required for personnel protection and electromagnetic
interference (EMI) reduction. . To prevent the possibility of problems due to resonance of a
single bonding strap, two widely spaced straps of unequal length shall be used to connect the
equipment to the Multipoint grounding bus in the equipment cabine t. Bonding shall be in
accordance with the recommended practices as expressed in IEEE Std 1100-1999 paragraph
8.5.4.6.

3.10.8.1 Electronic Signal Return Path

The electronic signal return path shall be routed with the circuit conductor. For axial circuits, the
shield serves this purpose. The electronic equipment case and electronic multipoint ground
system shall not be used as a signal return conductor.

43
3.10.8.2 Shield Terminations of Axial and Other Cables
All connectors shall be of a type and design that provides a low impedance path from the signal
line shield to the electronic equipment case. If the electronic signal reference plane must be
isolated from the electronic equipment case, and if the shielding effectiveness of the case must
not be degraded, a connector of a tri-axial design that properly grounds the outer cable shield to
the case shall be used. Shields of axial cables and balanced transmission lines shall be
terminated by peripherally grounding the shield to the electronic equipment case. Bonding of
connectors shall be in accordance with paragraph 3.14.14. The use of pigtails to terminate high
frequency line shields outside the electronic equipment case shall not be permitted. Axial shields
and connector shells shall be grounded to the electronic multipoint ground system at junction
boxes, patch panels, signal distribution boxes, and other interconnection points along the
electronic signal path. See paragraph 3.15.3 for more information on conductor and cable
shielding.

3.10.9 Electronic Equipment Containing both Low and High Frequency Circuits
If the low and high frequency circuits in electronic equipment are functionally independent, and
if construction and layout will permit separate electronic signal references, the low frequency
circuits may be grounded in accordance with paragraph 3.11. If the low frequency and high
frequency circuits share a common electronic signal refe rence, both circuits shall be grounded in
accordance with paragraph 3.10.8.

3.10.9.1 Input and Output Electronic Signals

Where the low frequency signal reference is separate from the high frequency signal reference,
low frequency input and output signals shall conform to paragraphs 3.11.7.2 and 3.11.7.4. High
frequency input and output signals shall conform to paragraph 3.10.8. Where a common signal
reference is used, low frequency analog input and output signals shall be balanced with respect to
the signal reference. Extreme care shall be taken to maintain isolation between the single point
ground system and the electronic multipoint ground system, except at the main ground plate or
EES.

3.11 Electronic Single Point Ground System Requirements

3.11.1 General
Electronic single point ground systems are not required in FAA facilities unless the equipment to
be installed requires it. The retrofitting of a single point ground system is a feasible option in
most facilities. The electronic single point ground system shall be isolated from the power
grounding system, lightning protection system and electronic multipoint ground system (except
at the main ground plate). The electronic single point ground system shall be terminated at the
main ground plate or to the EES, whichever is the closest. The electronic single point ground
system shall be configured to minimize cable lengths. Conductive loops shall be avoided by
maintaining a trunk and branch arrangement as shown in Figure 8.

3.11.2 Ground Plates

Main, branch and feeder ground plates shall be of copper and at least 12 in. (305 mm) long, 6in.
(152 mm) wide, and 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) thick. The plates shall be mounted on phenolic or other
non-conductive material of sufficient cross section to rigidly support the plates after all cables

44
are connected. Bolts or other devices used to secure the plates in place shall be insulated or shall
be of a non-conducting material. The plates shall be mounted in a manner that provides ready
accessibility for future inspection and maintenance.

3.11.3 Isolation
The minimum resistance between the electronic single point ground and the electronic multipoint
ground systems shall be 10 megohms. The resistance shall be measured after the complete
network is installed and before connection to the EES or to the electronic multipoint ground
system at the main ground plate.

3.11.4 Resistance
The maximum resistance between any ground plate and any cable connected to the plate shall
not be greater than 1 milliohm.

3.11.5 Ground Cable Size

The size of the main, trunk and feeder ground cables shall be as follows:

3.11.5.1 Main Ground Cable

The main ground cable shall be an insulated 500 kcmil copper cable not exceeding 50 feet in
length. The main ground cable shall be connected to the EES by exothermic weld and to the
main ground plate with a UL listed connector and in accordance with paragraph 3.14.2 and as
illustrated in Figure 8.

3.11.5.2 Trunk and Branch Ground Cables

An insulated trunk ground cable shall be installed in each facility from the main ground plate to
each of the branch plates as shown in Figure 8. Insulated copper branch ground cables shall be
installed between feeder and branch ground plates. These cables shall be routed to provide the
shortest practical path. These cables shall be 4/0 AWG insulated copper conductors with a green
and yellow marking for systems where the farthest feeder plate in the system is no more than 400
feet from the EES via the cable runs. For longer runs, select a cable size based on providing a
cross sectional area of 500 cmil per running foot of cable length but in no case smaller than 250
kcmil. Trunk ground cables shall be exothermically welded or connected with UL listed double
bolted connectors to the ground plates in accordance with paragraph 3.14.2.4 and shall be
mounted as shown on the facility drawings.

3.11.5.3 Electronic Equipment Ground Cables

The cable from the feeder ground plate (branch ground plate if there is no need for a feeder
ground plate in the cable run) to the isolated terminal or bus on the electronic equipment shall
also meet the 500 cmil per running foot requirement. The minimum size cable shall be an
insulated #6 AWG for cable lengths not more than 50 ft. (from the last plate to cabinet bus or
equipment chassis), and for runs over 50 ft. the cable size shall be increased accordingly.

3.11.5.4 Interconnections
All connections to the single point ground system shall be made on ground plates or buses. Split
bolts, Burndy clamps and other connections to existing cables are not allowed.

45
3.11.6 Labeling
The single point ground system shall be clearly labeled to preserve its integrity as described in
the following sections.

3.11.6.1 Cable Identification

Trunk, branch and electronic equipment ground cables shall be color coded green with a bright
yellow tracer. Where cables are concealed and not color coded, any exposed portion of the cable
and each end of the cable for a minimum length of 2 ft. (0.6 m) shall be color coded by green
tape overlaid with bright yellow tape to form the tracer. Where routed through raceways or
wireways, color coding shall be visible by opening any cover. Where conductors are routed
through cable trays, color coding 4 in. in length shall be applied at intervals not exceeding 3 ft.
All single point ground system conductors shall be identified at each end. The source end shall
indicate the point of utilization. The point of utilization termination shall be labeled indicating
the source of the conductor. This shall be accomplished by either a shrink embossed label or by
a tie on tag. These conductors where exposed shall also be tagged every 50 ft. and in junction
boxes in the manner above.

3.11.6.2 Ground Plate Labeling

All ground plates shall be protected with a clear plastic protective cover spaced 3/4 in. (19 mm)
from the plate and extending 1 in. (25.4 mm) beyond each edge. This cover shall have a green
label with distinguishing bright yellow slashes attached bearing the caption: “CAUTION,
ELECTRONIC SINGLE POINT GROUND” in black 3/8- in. high (10 mm) characters.

3.11.7 Equipment Requiring Electronic Single Point Grounds

When electronic equipment performance dictates an isolated electronic single Point ground
system for proper operation, all the equipment and its installation shall comply with the
following:

3.11.7.1 Electronic Single Point Ground System

The single Point ground system or plane shall be isolated from the electronic equipment case. If
a metal chassis is used as the electronic single point ground, the chassis shall be floated relative
to the case. Design practices shall be such that the single point ground of the electronic
equipment can be properly interfaced with other electronic equipment without compromising the
system. If necessary, this single point ground system may be filtered for high frequencies.

3.11.7.2 Input and Output Signals

The “high” and “low” sides of input and output signals shall be isolated from the electronic
equipment case and balanced with respect to the signal reference. Operating and adjusting
controls, readouts or indicating devices, protective devices, monitoring jacks and signal
connectors shall be designed to isolate both the high and low side of the signal from the case.

46
 Figure 8. Electronic Single Point Ground System Installation

3.11.7.3 Electronic Single Point Ground Terminal(S)

Insulated single point ground system terminal(s) shall be provided on each electronic equipment
case where an isolated signal reference is required. The single point ground reference for the
internal circuits shall be connected to this terminal. This terminal(s) shall be used to terminate
cable shields, and to connect the isolated signal ground of the electronic equipment to the single
point ground system in the facility. A connector pin, a screw or pin on a terminal strip, an
insulated stud, jack or feed through, or an insulated wire shall be an acceptable terminal so long
as each terminal is clearly marked, labeled, or coded in a manner that does not interfere with its

47
intended function. These marks, codes, or labels shall be permanently affixed and shall utilize
green with yellow stripes. Wire insulation shall be green with a yellow tracer.

3.11.7.4 Isolation
With all external power, signal and control lines disconnected from the electronic equipment,
isolation between the single point ground system terminals and the case shall not be less than 5
megohms.

3.11.7.5 Electronic Signal Lines and Cables

Electronic signal lines shall be twisted shielded pairs with the shield insulated. Cables consisting
of multiple twisted pairs shall have the individual shields isolated from each other. Cables with
an overall shield shall have the shield insulated.

3.11.7.6 Termination of Individual Shields

Termination of individual shields shall be in accordance with paragraph 3.15.3.2.

3.11.7.7 Termination of Overall Shields

Termination of overall shields shall be in accordance with paragraph 3.15.3.3.

3.11.7.8 Single Point Grounding of Electronic Equipment

Each single point ground terminal shall be connected to the facility single point ground system in
accordance with the following:

(a) Individual units or pieces of electronic equipment which by nature of their location or
function cannot or should not be mounted with other electronic equipment, shall have an
insulated copper cable installed between the electronic single point ground terminal specified
in paragraph 0 and the nearest electronic single point ground system ground plate. This cable
shall have a cross-sectional area of 500 circular mils per linear foot.
(b) Where two or more units or pieces of electronic equipment are mounted together in a rack or
cabinet, a single-ground bus bar shall be installed as shown in Figure 9. The bus bar shall be
copper and shall provide a minimum cross-sectional area of 125,000 square mils. The bus bar
shall be drilled and tapped for #10 screws. The holes shall be located as required by the
relative location of the isolated electronic single point grounding terminals on the electronic
equipment. The bus bar shall be mounted on insulating supports that provide at least 10
megohms DC resistance between the bus bar and the rack or cabinet.
(c) Each electronic equipment isolated single point ground terminal shall be interconnected to the
bus bar by means of a solid or flexible tinned copper jumper of sufficient cross sectional area
so that its resistance is 5 milliohms or less (#6 AWG minimum). The jumper shall be
insulated or mounted in a manner that maintains the required degree of isolation between the
reference conductor and the enclosure. The interconnecting jumper shall be attached to the
bus bar at a point nearest to the single point ground terminal to which the strap is attached.
An insulated copper cable shall be installed from the bus bar in the cabinet to the nearest
electronic single point ground system. This cable shall provide at least 500 circular mils per
linear foot, and must be a minimum of a #6 AWG.

48
 To Single Point
Grounding System

Figure 9. Single Point Electronic Ground Bus Bar Installation in Rack or Cabinet

3.12 National Electrical Code (NEC) Grounding Compliance

3.12.1 General
The facility electrical grounding shall exceed the requirements of NEC Article 250 as specified
herein. The electronic multipoint ground system shall not replace the equipment grounding
conductor required by the NEC.

49
3.12.2 Grounding Electrode Conductors
Grounding electrode conductors shall conform to the following:

(a) Premises wiring, required by the NEC to be grounded, shall have the neutral (grounded
conductor) connected to the EES by a copper grounding electrode conductor at the service
disconnecting means. The grounding electrode conductor shall be sized in accordance with
the NEC, but in no case shall the wire size be smaller than #2 AWG.

(b) The grounding connection for services shall be made to the neutral bus in the service
disconnecting means.

(c) The grounding electrode conductor connecting the neutral wire (grounded conductor) to the
EES shall be continuous and unspliced, except where splices are permitted by the NEC.
When a grounding electrode conductor is routed through a metal enclosure, e.g., conduit, the
enclosure shall be bonded at each end to the grounding electrode conductor.

(d) Except as specified in sub-paragraph (e) for approach lighting systems with a constant
voltage source used to supply flashers and convenience outlets the following applies. Whe re
one facility receives its electrical power from another facility, the equipment grounding
conductor shall be carried with the phase and neutral conductors in the same conduit or
raceway and the grounded conductor (neutral) of the receiving facility shall not be connected
to the equipment grounding conductor or grounding electrode at that facility.

(e) For approach lighting systems with a constant voltage source used to supply flashers and
convenience outlets, the grounded conductor (neutral) shall be bonded to the counterpoise
wire and to the grounding electrode at each light station.

(f) For separately derived systems, the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected from
the grounded conductor in the first system disconnecting means directly to the nearest
electrically continuous, effectively grounded structural steel. Where it is not feasible to
connect the grounding electrode conductor to structural steel the EES may be used. This
grounding electrode conductor shall be copper and sized in accordance with NEC
requirements, except that this conductor shall not be smaller than #2 AWG. The bonding
conductor between the equipment grounding conductor and the grounded conductor shall be
installed in this disconnecting means. Equipment grounding conductors (safety grounds)
shall be bonded to the grounded conductor in the first system disconnecting means. These
equipment grounding conductors shall be green insulated, unspliced and the same size as the
associated phase conductors. No neutral-to- ground connection shall be made at the load side
disconnecting means enclosure.

3.12.3 Equipment Grounding Conductors

Each piece of electrical and electronic equipment shall be grounded. The equipment grounding
conductor shall be a green insulated wire and run in the same raceway as its related phase and
neutral conductors. Cord connected equipment shall include the equipment grounding conductor
as an integral part of the power cord. Where power is supplied to electronic equipment through a

50
cable and connector, the connector sha ll contain a pin to continue the equipment grounding
conductor to the equipment chassis. Conduit or cable shields shall not be used as the equipment
grounding conductor. All installations shall be in accordance with the NEC, FAA-C-1217 and
with the following:

(a) See paragraph 3.13.2

(b) Equipment grounding conductors shall be the same size as the associated phase conductors.

(c) Grounding terminals in all receptacles on wire mold or plug mold strips shall be hardwired to
an equipment grounding conductor. Strips that depend upon serrated or toothed fingers for
grounding shall not be used.

(d) All flexible steel conduits shall contain an equipment grounding conductor. In addition to the
internal equipment grounding conductor, an external bonding jumper shall be provided on all
flexible metal conduits. This bonding jumper shall be a #6 AWG stranded copper conductor.
The bonding jumper shall terminate on approved grounding fittings at each end of the
flexible metal conduit.

(e) Individual equipment grounding conductors shall be installed in all branch circuits and
feeders in parallel with the phase and grounded conductors.

3.12.4 Color Coding of Conductors

3.12.4.1 Grounded Conductors

Color coding of grounded conductors shall be cons istent throughout the facility as follows:

(a) Neutral conductors (grounded conductors) shall be insulated and color coded white for
120/208V and 120/240 and natural gray for voltages above 120/240. Conductors larger than
#6 AWG may be re- identified as the grounded (neutral) conductor except that green
conductors shall not be re- identified. White or natural gray conductors shall be used in
accordance with NFPA-70 (NEC) article 200.7

(b) In any room, conduit, pullbox, raceway, or cable tray, where two or more grounded
conductors of different systems are present (branch circuits, feeders, services, voltages, etc.),
the grounded conductors shall be clearly identified. The identification of the grounded
conductors for each system shall be consistent throughout the facility. The grounded
conductor of one system may be white, natural gray or re- identified. The grounded
conductors of the other systems shall be identified by tape or by an identifiable colored stripe
(not green) on white insulation.

(c) Color coding of grounded conductors shall be applied at each connection and at every point
where the conductor is accessible. Where routed through raceways or wireways, the color
coding shall be visible by removing or opening any cover. Where conductors are routed
through cable trays, color coding 3 in. (75 mm) in length shall be provided at intervals not
exceeding 3 ft. (0.9 m).

51
3.12.4.2 Equipment Grounding Conductors
Equipment grounding conductor color-coding shall be consistent throughout the facility as
follows:

(a) Electrical equipment grounding conductors shall be solid green in color. Insulated conductors
larger than #6 AWG may be re- identified with green tape. White or natural gray conductors
shall not be re- identified as equipment grounding conductors. The equipment grounding
conductor from the grounding terminal of the isolated ground pin receptacle to the service
ground terminal shall be color coded green with yellow and red bands.

(b) Color-coding of equipment grounding conductors shall be applied at each connection and at
every point where the conductor is accessible. Where routed through raceways or wireways,
the coding shall be visible by removing or opening any cover. Where conductors are routed
through cable trays, color coding 3 in. (75 mm) long shall be provided at intervals not
exceeding 3 ft. (0.9 m).

3.12.4.3 Control and DC Power Cables

Color-coding for conductors in control cables shall be in accordance with NEMA Standard WC-
5. DC power conductors, including battery cables, shall be color coded as follows: a red for
positive conductor and black for a negative conductor. The red conductor shall be marked with a
positive (+) symbol and the black conductor shall be marked with a (-) symbol.

3.12.5 Conductor Routing

The neutral (grounded conductor) and equipment grounding conduc tors shall be routed through
the same raceway, or cable tray as the phase conductors. Power conductors shall not be routed in
the same conduit or enclosed raceway with control, communications, or signal conductors or
cables. Where power cables must be routed with electronic cables, the power conductors shall be
twisted in accordance with Table IV. For conductor sizes larger than #2 AWG, the conductors
shall be twisted to the maximum extent practical. The minimum separation distance between
power and signal cables should be in accordance with paragraph 3.15.4. Power and signal cables
should avoid crossing each other, but if it is necessary to have power and signal cables cross then
it shall be at right angles.

3.12.6 Non-Current-Carrying Metal Equipment Enclosures

Metal enclosures shall meet the following requirements:

(a) All non-current-carrying metal enclosures such as conduit, raceways, wireways, cable trays
and panel boards shall be ele ctrically continuous. Insulating finishes shall be removed between
grounding/bonding areas of mating surfaces or bonding jumpers. All rigid galvanized steel
(ferrous rigid metal) conduits shall be equipped with grounding (bonding) bushings at each end
and a bonding jumper the same size as the equipment grounding conductor as shown in Figure
10.

(b) Maximum use shall be made of ferrous materials for enclosures, conduits, raceways, and
cable trays to provide shielding from magnetic fields (EMI and RFI).

52
(c) All battery supporting racks shall be bonded either directly to the EES or to any grounded
structure with a #2AWG conductor.

Table IV. Minimum Number of Twists for Power Conductors

Twists per foot (0.3 m)

Size (AWG) #of Conductors
Two Three Four Five
12 7 5 4 3
10 6 4 3 2.5
8 5 4 3 2
6 4 3 2 1.5
4 3 2 1.5 1
2 2.5 2 1.5 1

Figure 10. Bonding of Conduit and Grounding Conductor

3.13 Other Grounding Requirements

3.13.1 Electronic Cabinet, Rack, and Case Grounding

All electronic cabinets, racks, and cases shall provide a grounding terminal or means whereby a
grounding jumper or wire can be mechanically connected through an electrically conductive
surface to the basic frame. The metal enclosure of each individual unit or piece of electronic
equipment shall be bonded to its cabinet, rack, or directly to the electronic multipoint ground
system.

53
3.13.1.1 Mounting Surfaces
Electronic equipment mounting surfaces on cabinets and racks shall be free of non-conducting
finishes. Mounting surfaces for electronic equipment that will be mounted in cabinets or racks
shall also be free of non-conducting finishes.

3.13.2 Receptacles
Receptacles (convenience outlets) shall be provided with a ground terminal. An equipment
grounding conductor whose path is electrically continuous and is in the same raceway or cable as
the power conductors feeding the receptacles shall be connected to the ground terminal.

3.13.2.1 Isolated Grounding Receptacles

Where required for the possible reduction of electrical noise (electromagnetic interference) on
the grounding circuit, receptacles shall be permitted in which the grounding terminal is purposely
isolated from the receptacle mounting. The receptacle-grounding terminal shall be grounded by
means of an isolated equipment-grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors (phase and
neutral). This grounding conductor shall be permitted to pass through one or more panelboards
without connection to the panelboard-grounding terminal. This equipment- grounding conductor
shall terminate within the same building or structure directly at the equipment grounding
conductor terminal of the applicable derived system or service and shall be color-coded green
with yellow and red bands at each end and wherever it passes through a box. A second insulated
equipment-grounding conductor shall be installed from the metal outlet box housing the
receptacle to the panelboard feeding this receptacle. This conductor shall be bonded at one end
to the metal outlet box and connected at the other end to the ground bus in the panelboard
feeding the isolated ground pin receptacle. All equipment grounding conductors shall be run in
the same conduit with their associated phase and neutral conductors. This equipment grounding
conductor shall be color coded green.

3.13.3 Equipment Power Isolation Requirements

Prior to installation, the resistance from each conductor (including AC neutral) and the
equipment case and any single point electronic ground connectors shall be measured. The
isolation between these points shall measure 10 megohms or greater with the power switch in the
on position.

3.13.4 Portable Equipment

Portable electrical or electronic equipment cases, enclosures, and housing shall be considered to
be adequately grounded for fault protection through the equipment grounding conductor of the
power cord, provided continuity is firmly established between the case, enclosure or housing,
and the receptacle ground terminal. The power cord equip ment grounding conductor shall not be
used for signal grounding.

3.13.5 Fault Protection

Equipment parts such as panels, covers, knobs, switches, and connectors that are conductive and
subject to human contact during operation and maintenance shall be prevented from becoming
electrically energized when there are faults or component failures. Such parts shall be grounded
by a low impedance path to the chassis or cases of the equipment on which they are mounted.

54
When grounded in accordance with paragraph 3.13.1, equipment chassis, cases, racks, cabinets,
and other enclosures shall be considered adequately grounded for fault protection.

3.13.5.1 Metal Control Shafts

Metal control shafts shall be grounded to the equipment case through a low impedance path
provided by close-fitting conductive gaskets, metal finger stock, or grounding nuts.

3.13.5.2 Shielded Compartments

Shields shall be bonded to the chassis for fault protection in accordance with paragraph 3.14.

3.13.6 AC Power Filters

All filter cases shall be directly bonded in accordance with paragraph 3.14.11 to the equipment
case or enclosure. Filter leakage current shall not exceed 5 milliamperes (ma) per filter. Where
practical and where the equipment is compatible, common power line filters shall be used to
limit total leakage current. Transient suppression devices, components or circuits shall be
installed in accordance with paragraph 3.6.

3.14 Bonding Requirements

3.14.1 Resistance
Unless otherwise specified in this standard, all bonds shall have a maximum DC resistance of 1
milliohm when measured between the bonded members with a 4-terminal milliohmmeter.

3.14.2 Methods
Bonding for electrical purposes shall be accomplished by a method that provides the required
degree of mechanical strength, achieves and maintains the low value of low frequency and high
frequency impedance required for proper functioning of the equipment, and is not subject to
deterioration through vibration or corrosion in normal use. The surface contact area of bolted
connections to flat surfaces in the lightning protection system shall be 3 square inches or greater.
Soft soldered or brazed connections shall not be used for any part of the power grounding
system, EES or the lightning protection system (air terminals, roof conductors, down conductors,
fasteners, and conduit). Soft solder shall only be used to improve conductivity at joints already
secured with mechanical fasteners. Soft solder shall not be used to provide mechanical restraint.

3.14.2.1 Exothermic Welds

Exothermic welds may be used for any type of bond connection specified herein. Exothermic
welds shall be used for all underground connections between earth electrodes, counterpoise cable
and other connections to the EES. Exothermic welds may not be possible between certain
materials, shapes, or in hazardous locations, i.e., near fuel tanks, where nearby objects may be
damaged, etc. In these cases, connections using UL listed connectors will be allowed.

3.14.2.2 Welds
Welds shall meet the following minimum requirements.

(a) Welds shall support the mechanical load demands on the bonded members.

55
(b) On members with a maximum dimension of 2 in. (50.8 mm) or less, the weld shall extend
completely across the side or surface of the largest dimension.

(c) On members with a maximum dimension between 2 in. (50.8 mm) and 12 in. (305 mm), one
weld of at least 2 in. in length shall be provided.

(d) On members with a dimension of 12 in. (305 mm) or more, two or more welds, each not less
than 2 in. (50.8 mm) in length shall be provided at uniform spacing across the surface. The
maximum spacing between welds shall not exceed 12 in.

(e) At butt joints, complete penetration welds shall be used on all members whose thickness is ¼
in. (6.4 mm) or less. Where the thickness of the members is greater, the depth of the weld
shall be more than ¼ in.

(f) Fillet welds shall have an effective size equal to the thickness of the members.

(g) At lap joints between members whose thickness is less than ¼ in. (6.4 mm), double fillet
welds shall be provided.

(h) For metal interfaces that are required to be RF-tight, the interface shall be continuously
welded.

3.14.2.3 Dissimilar Metals

(a) Only exothermic welding shall be used for the permanent bonding of copper conductors to
steel or other ferrous structural members. Where the combustion products of a standard
exothermic weld may present problems, a smokeless exothermic process is commercially
available. Exothermic welds may not be possible between certain materials, shapes, or in
hazardous locations, i.e., near fuel tanks, where nearby objects may be damaged, etc. In
these cases, connections using UL listed connectors will be allowed.

(b) All residual fluxes shall be removed or neutralized to prevent corrosion.

(c) Brazing material shall meet the requirements for dissimilar metals as specified in, Table V

56
 Table V. Acceptable Couplings Between Dissimilar Metals

Notes:
1. Stainless steels, nickel, and inconel are considered passive on this chart.
2. Each metal on the chart is considered anodic (sacrificial) to the metals following it.
3. A solid dot (•) indicates an acceptable combination.

3.14.2.4 Mechanical Connections

3.14.2.4.1 Bolted Connections

Bolts and machine screws shall be used primarily as mechanical fasteners for holding the
component members of the bond in place. They shall be tightened sufficiently to maintain the
contact pressures required for effective bonding but shall not be over-tightened to the extent that
deformation of bond members occurs. Disc springs (Belleville spring washers) shall be installed
to prevent loosening. Bolts and screws other than those intentionally used to attach bonding
straps or conductors, shall not be used in lieu of dedicated bonding jumpers

(a) All bolted connections shall conform to the torque requirements in Table VI. All bolted
connections shall utilize SAE Grade 5 stainless steel bolts and nuts.

(b) Bolted connections shall be assembled in the order shown in Figure 11. Additional load
distribution washers, if used, shall be positioned directly underneath the bolt head. Disc springs
shall be between the nut and the load distribution washer. Washers shall not be placed between
bonded members. (See paragraph 3.14.8 for surface preparation.) Load distribution washers
shall comply with ANSI B18.22.1 for Stainless steel washers, Wide Series, Type B. Note:
Table VI provides sample part numbers for one manufacturer; other manufacturers of disc spring
washers may be equally suitable.

57
3.14.2.4.2 Sheet Metal Screws
Sheet metal screws shall not be used to provide a continuous and permanent electrical bond. The
use of sheet metal screws shall be restricted to the fastening of covers. These covers are to
eliminate dust or other foreign matter from the equipment, and to discourage unauthorized or
untrained personnel access to the equipment.

Table VI. Torque Requirements for Bolted Bonds

Bolt Size Torque Bolt Area Washers Solon Part
(ft-lbs) Load (psi) Required Number*
#8 3 1200 3 08-H-35-177
#10 5 1500 2 010-M-50-177
1/4 in. 10 2500 3 4-EH-70-301
5/16 in. 21 4000 3 5-EH-80-301
3/8 in. 34 5500 3 6-EH-89-301
7/16 in. 55 7500 6 7-L-70-301
1/2 in. 83 10,000 2 8-18-125-301
9/16 in. 117 12,500 N/A N/A
5/8 in. 167 16,000 3 10-EH-150-177
3/4 in. 288 23,000 3 12-EH-168-177
7/8 in. 452 31,000 3 14-EH-168-177
1 in. 567 40,000 3 15-H-187-177
*Other manufacturers of disc spring washers may be equally suitable

Bond Strap

Flat Washer

Metal Member

Belleville Belleville
Washer Washer

Note:
Remove all paint on Metal Member
under and within 1/4" of the bolt.
Stack Belleville washers to obtain
required number.

Figure 11. Order of Assembly for Bolted Connections

58
3.14.2.4.3 Hydraulically Crimped Terminations
Mechanical connections such as a Burndy “Hyground Connector”, Thomas and Betts
Compression Connector or approved equivalent, when operated at the manufacturer’s
recommended pressure to develop a minimum force of 12 tons, are acceptable as FAA approved
pressure connectors. (These connectors are not acceptable in the lightning protection system.)

3.14.2.4.4 Soldering
Mechanical bonds may be improved by the use of silver solder to exclude contaminants from the
mating surfaces. Soldered mechanical bonds shall be carefully made prior to applying solder to
prevent cold solder joints. Soldered mechanical connections shall not be used for any part of the
power grounding system or the lightning protection system. See FAA Order 6950.20, Chapter 5,
paragraph 99 for additional information.

3.14.2.4.5 Riveting
Rivets shall be employed primarily as mechanical fasteners to hold multiple smooth, clean metal
surfaces together or to provide a mechanical load bearing capability to a soldered bond. Rivets
shall not be used as bonds for high frequency signals.

3.14.3 Bonding Straps and Jumpers

Bonding straps, including jumpers, shall conform to the following:

(a) Bonding straps shall be attached to the basic member rather than through any adjacent parts.

(b) Bonding straps shall be installed to be unaffected electrically by motion or vibration.

(c) Braided bonding straps shall not be used for bonding transmitters or other sources of RF
fields.

(d) Bonding straps shall be installed whenever possible in areas accessible for maintenance and
inspection.

(e) Bonding straps shall be installed so they will not restrict movement of the members being
bonded or other members nearby which must be able to move as part of normal functional
operation.

(f) Two or more bonding straps shall not be connected in series to provide a single bonding path.

(g) The method of installation and point of attachment of bonding straps shall not weaken the
members to which they are attached.

(h) Bonding straps shall not be compression- fastened through non-metallic material.

(i) Bonding straps shall be designed not to have resonant impedances at equipment operating
frequencies. Two short, low- impedance grounding straps between the multipoint grounding
system and two corners of the equipment should be used. These straps should be connected
as far apart as possible on the equipment (ideally on opposite corners) in order to reduce

59
 mutual inductance and they should have few bends or sags. Two straps with a 20% to 30%
difference in length should be used so that if one strap experiences resonance, limiting
current flow, the other strap will not.

(j) The length of the equipment bonding and grounding wire connections should be limited to
1/20th of a wavelength of the signal frequency, or about six inches at 100 MHz. In practice,
this may not be possible so the length should be as short as possible.

(k) Broad flat conductors, with a large surface area (at least one inch wide) should be used for
equipment grounding straps since they have a lower inductance than other (round)
conductors. Care must be taken to insure that terminations of braids or straps be constructed
in a manner which maintains their contact width. Reduction of contact width by utilizing
standard round conductor terminal lugs is unacceptable.

3.14.4 Fasteners
Fastener materials for bonding aluminum and copper jumpers to structures shall conform to the
materials listed in Table V. Acceptable Couplings Between Dissimilar Metals.

3.14.4.1 Counterpoise Cables

Counterpoise cables shall be attached to ground rods in accordance with the requirements of
paragraph 3.8.6.

3.14.4.2 Underground Metallic Pipes and Tanks

Underground metallic pipes and tanks shall be bonded to the EES in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph 3.8.6.

3.14.4.3 Steel Frame Buildings

Structural members (columns, wall frames, and roof trusses) shall be electrically continuous.
Where joints are not electrically continuous, they shall be bridged to obtain continuity, with an
exothermically welded #4/0 AWG stranded copper cable.

3.14.4.4 Interior Metallic Pipes

Interior metallic pipes and conduits shall be bonded in accordance with paragraph 3.10.5.

3.14.4.5 Electrical Supporting Structures

Conduit and cable trays shall be bonded in accordance with paragraph 3.10.6.

3.14.4.6 Flat Bars

Flat bars shall be bonded by minimum, SAE grade 5, high compression bolts.

3.14.5 Temporary Bonds

Alligator clips and other spring loaded clamps shall be employed only as temporary bonds while
performing repair work on equipment or facility wiring.

3.14.6 Inaccessible Locations

All bonds in permanently concealed or inaccessible locations shall be exothermically welded.

60
3.14.7 Coupling of Dissimilar Metals
Compression bonding with bolts and clamps shall be used only between metals having
acceptable coupling values as shown in Table V. When the base metals form couples that are not
allowed, the metals shall be coated, plated, or otherwise protected with a conductive finish, or a
washer made of a material compatible with each shall be inserted between the two base metals.
The washer shall be constructed of passivated stainless steel. MlL-STD-889 provides specific
information in this area.

3.14.8 Surface Preparation

All surfaces to be bonded shall be thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt, grease, oxides,
nonconductive films, or other foreign material. Paints and other organic coatings shall be
removed by sanding or brushing down to the bare metal. The use of chemical removers shall be
acceptable, provided that all residue is removed from the area to be bonded and provided that the
chemical does not react with the base metal to produce nonconductive or corrosive products.

3.14.8.1 Paint Removal

Paints, primers, and other non-conductive finishes shall be removed from the metal base with
appropriate chemical paint removers, or the surface shall be sanded with 500-grit abrasive paper
or equivalent.

3.14.8.2 Inorganic Film Removal

Rust, oxides, and non-conductive surface finishes (anodized, galvanized, etc.) shall be removed
by sand blasting, by using abrasive paper or cloth with 320- grit or finer, or by using an
appropriate wire brush technique. Gentle and uniform pressure shall be employed when using
abrasive papers or cloths or wire brushes to obtain a smooth, uniform surface. No more metal
than necessary to achieve a clean surface shall be removed.

3.14.8.3 Area to Be Cleaned

All bonding surfaces shall be cleaned over an area that extends at least 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) beyond
all sides of the bonded area on the larger member.

3.14.8.4 Final Cleaning

After initial cleaning with chemical paint removers or mechanical abrasives, the bare metal shall
be wiped or brushed with an appropriate solvent meeting the requirements of P-D-680. Prior to
bonding, surfaces not requiring the use of mechanical abrasives or chemical removers shall be
cleaned with a dry cleaning solvent to remove grease, oil, corrosion preventives, dust, dirt, and
moisture.

3.14.8.4.1 Clad Metals

Clad metal shall be carefully cleaned, to a bright, shiny, smooth surface, with fine steel wool or
grit so the cladding material is not penetrated by the cleaning process. The cleaned area shall be
wiped with dry cleaning solvent and allowed to air dry before completing the bond.

3.14.8.4.2 Aluminum Alloys

After cleaning of aluminum surfaces to a bright finish, a brush coating of alodine or other similar

61
conductive finish shall be applied to the mating surfaces.

3.14.8.5 Completion of the Bond

If an intentional protective coating is removed from the metal surface, the mating surfaces shall
be joined within 2 hours after cleaning. If delays beyond two hours are necessary in corrosive
environments, the cleaned surfaces must be protected with an appropriate coating that must be
removed before completion of the bond.

3.14.8.6 Refinishing of Bond

Bonds shall be refinished so as to match the existing finish as close as possible within the
requirements of paragraph 3.14.9.

3.14.8.7 Machined Surfaces

Where an RF-tight joint is necessary, both surfaces shall be machined smooth to provide
uniform continuous contact through the joint area and an RF gasket (paragraph 0) shall be
used to insure a low impedance path across the joint. Fasteners shall be positioned and
distributed in a manner that maintains uniform pressure throughout the bond area.

3.14.8.8 Surface Platings or Treatments

Surface treatments that include platings provided for added wearability or corrosion protection
shall offer high conductivity. Plating metals shall be electrochemically compatible with the base
metals per paragraph 3.14.7. Unless suitably protected from the atmosphere, silver and other
easily tarnished metals shall not be used to plate bond surfaces, except where an increase in
surface contact resistance cannot be tolerated.

3.14.9 Bond Protection

A11 bonds shall be protected against weather, corrosive atmospheres, vibration and mechanical
damage. Under dry conditions, a compatible corrosion preventive or sealant shall be applied
within 24 hours of assembly of the bond materials. Under conditions exceeding 60% humidity,
sealing of the bond shall be accomplished within 1 hour of joining.

3.14.9.1 Paint
If a paint finish is required on the final assembly, the bond shall be sealed with the recommended
finish. Care shall be taken to assure that all means by which moisture or other contaminants may
enter the bond are sealed. A waterproof type of paint or primer conforming to FAA-STD-012
shall be used if the recommended finish is not waterproof.

3.14.9.2 Inaccessible Locations

Bonds which are located in areas not reasonably accessible for maintenance shall be sealed with
compatible permanent, waterproof compounds after assembly.

3.14.9.3 Compression Bonds in Protected Areas

Compression bonds between copper conductors or between compatible aluminum alloys located
in readily accessible areas not exposed to weather, corrosive fumes, or excessive dust do not
require sealing.

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3.14.9.4 Corrosion Protection
All exterior and interior bonds exposed to moisture or high humidity shall be protected against
corrosion. All interior bonds made between dissimilar metals shall be protected against
corrosion in accordance with Table V and paragraph 3.14. All exothermic connections shall be
cleaned of all residual slag. Protection shall be provided by a moisture proof paint conforming to
the requirements of FAA-STD-012 or shall be sealed with a silicone or petroleum-based sealant
to prevent moisture from reaching the bond area. Bonds protected by conductive finishes
(alodine, iridite, et. al.) shall not require painting to meet the requirements of this standard.

3.14.9.5 Vibration
Bonds sha ll be protected from vibration- induced deterioration by assuring that bolts and screws
employ lock washers, self- locking nuts, or jam nuts that are properly tightened and rivets that are
securely seated.

3.14.10 Bonding Across Shock Mounts

Bonding straps installed across shock mounts or other suspension or support devices shall not
impede the performance of the mounting device. They shall be capable of withstanding the
anticipated motion and vibration requirements without suffering metal fatigue or other failures.
Extra care shall be utilized in the attachment of bonding strap ends to prevent arcing or other
forms of electrical noise generation from strap movement.

3.14.11 Enclosure Bonding

Subassemblies and equipment shall be directly bonded, whenever practical, at the areas of
physical contact with the mounting surface.

3.14.12 Subassemblies
Subassemblies shall be bonded to the chassis utilizing the maximum possible contact area. All
feed throughs, filters, and connectors shall be bonded around the periphery to the subassembly
enclosure to maintain shield effectiveness. Covers shall exhibit intimate contact around their
periphery, and contact shall be achieved and maintained through the use of closely spaced screws
or bolts, or the use of resilient conductive gaskets, or both.

3.14.13 Equipment
The chassis or case of equipment shall be directly bonded to the rack, frame, or cabinet in which
it is mounted. Flange surfaces and the contact surface on the supporting element shall be cleaned
of all paint or other insulating substances in accordance with the requirements of paragraph
3.14.8. Fasteners shall maintain sufficient pressure to assure adequate surface contact to meet
the bond resistance requirements in paragraph 3.14.1. Tinnerman nuts and sheet metal screws
shall not be used for fasteners. If equipment must remain operational when partially or
completely withdrawn from its mounted position, the bond shall be maintained by a moving area
of contact or by the use of a flexible bonding strap. Except when necessary to maintain bonding
during adjustments, maintenance, or when other constraints prevent direct bonding, the use of
straps shall be avoided. Mechanical designs shall emphasize direct bonding.

3.14.14 Connector Mounting

All connectors shall be mounted so that intimate metallic contact is maintained between the

63
connector and the panel to which it is mounted. Bonding shall be accomplished completely
around the periphery of the flange of the connector. Both the flange surface and the mating area
on the panel shall be cleaned in accordance with paragraph 3.14.8. All nonconductive material
shall be removed from the panel as illustrated in Figure 12. After mounting of the connector, the
exposed area of the panel shall be repainted or otherwise protected from corrosion in accordance
with paragraph 3.14.9.

3.14.15 Shield Terminations

Cable shields shall be terminated in the manner specified by paragraphs 3.15.3.2, 3.15.3.3 and
3.10.8.2. Shields of axial cables shall be fastened tightly to the cable connector shell with a
compression fitting or soldered connection. The cable shall be able to withstand the anticipated
use without becoming noisy or suffering a degradation in shielding efficiency. Axial connectors
shall be of a material that is corrosion resistant in keeping with requirements of FAA-G-2100.
Low frequency shields shall be soldered in place or, if solderless terminals are used, the
compressed fitting shall afford maximum contact between the shield and the terminal sleeve.
Shield pigtails shall extend less than 1 inch from the point of breakaway from the center
conductors of the cable.

Figure 12. Bonding of Connectors to Mounting Surface

3.14.16 RF Gaskets
Conductive gaskets shall be made of corrosion resistant material, shall offer sufficient
conductivity to meet the resistance requirements of paragraph 3.14.1, and shall possess adequate
strength, resiliency, and hardness to maintain the shielding effectiveness of the bond. The
surfaces of contact with the gasket shall be smooth and free of insulating films, corrosion,
moisture, and paint. The gasket shall be firmly affixed to one of the bond surfaces by screws,

64
conductive cement, or other means that do not interfere with the effectiveness of the gasket; or a
milled slot shall be provided that prevents lateral movement or dislodging of the gasket when the
bond is disassembled. Gaskets shall be a minimum of 1/8 inch wide and of a reusable type. The
gasket as well as the contact surfaces shall be protected from corrosion.

3.15 Shielding Requirements

3.15.1 Design
The facility design and construction shall incorporate both protective shields to attenuate radiated
signals; and separation of equipment and conductors to minimize the coupling of interference.
The equipment design shall incorporate component compartments and overall shields as
necessary to meet the electromagnetic susceptibility and emission requirements of MIL-STD-461
as required by NAS-SS-1000 and FAA-G-2100. In addition, the design shall provide the shields
necessary to protect personnel from hazardous voltages, high level electromagnetic fields, and x-
rays that may be generated by equipment.

3.15.2 Facility Shielding

The shielding of facility buildings, shelters or equipment spaces shall be provided when other
facility or environmental sources of radiation are of sufficient magnitude to degrade the
operation and performance of electronic equipment. Unless otherwise specified, the bonding and
grounding of metal structural components, building elements and the space separation of
equipment and conductors sha ll be as indicated herein. Also, where rebar or a Faraday cage
exists, it shall be connected to the EES with an exothermically welded #2 AWG copper
conductor.

3.15.3 Conductor and Cable Shielding

Conductor and cable shielding shall comply with the following:

3.15.3.1 Signal Lines and Cables

Cables consisting of multiple twisted pairs shall have the individual shields isolated from each
other. Cables with an overall shield shall have the shield insulated.

3.15.3.2 Termination of Individual Shields

Shields of pairs of conductors and the shield of cables containing unshielded conductors shall be
terminated in accordance with the following:

(a) Shields shall be terminated as applicable for equipment operation.

(b) Shield terminations shall employ minimum length pigtails between the shield and the
connection to the bonding halo or ferrule ring and between the halo or ferrule ring and the
shield pin on the connector. The unshielded length of a signal line shall not exceed 1 in. (25
mm) with not more than 1/2 in. (13 mm) of exposed length as the desired goal.

(c) Shields, individually and collectively, shall be isolated from overall shields of cable bundles
and from electronic equipment cases, racks, cabinet, junction boxes, conduit, cable trays, and
elements of the electronic multipoint ground system. Except for one interconnection,

65
 individual shields shall be isolated from each other. This isolation shall be maintained in
junction boxes, patch panels and distribution boxes throughout the cable run. When a signal
line is interrupted such as in a junction box, the shield shall be carried through. The length of
unshielded conductors shall not exceed 1 in. (25 mm). To meet this requirement, the length
of shield pigtail may be longer than 1 in. but shall be the minimum required.

(d) Circuits and chassis shall be designed to minimize the distance from the connector or
terminal strip to the point of attachment of the shield- grounding` conductor to the electronic
signal reference. The size of the wire used to extend the shield to the circuit reference shall
be as large as practical but shall not be less than #16 AWG or the maximum wire size that
will fit the connector pin. A common shield ground wire for input and output signals, for
both high level and low level signals, for signal lines and power conductors, or for electronic
signal lines and control lines is prohibited.

(e) Nothing in this requirement shall preclude the extension of the shields through the connector
or past the terminal strip to individual circuits or chassis if required to minimize unwanted
coupling inside the electronic equipment. Where extensions of this type are necessary,
overall cable or bundle shields grounded in accordance with paragraph 3.15.3.3 shall be
provided.

3.15.3.3 Termination of Overall Shields

Cables that have an overall shield over individually shielded pairs shall have the overall shield
grounded at each end either directly or through an SPD and at intermediate points in accordance
with the following.

(a) Cable shields terminated to connectors shall be bonded to the connector shell as shown in
Figure 13a or Figure 13b. The shield shall be carefully cleaned to remove dirt, moisture, and
corrosion products. The connector securing clamp shall be carefully tightened to assure that
a low resistance bond to the connector shell is achieved completely around the circumference
of the cable shield. The bond shall be protected against corrosion in accordance with
paragraph 3.14.9. The panel- mounted part of the connector shall be bonded to the mounting
surface in accordance with paragraph 3.14.14.

(b) Where the cable continuity is interrupted such as in a junction box, the shield shall be carried
through and grounded at the box. The length of unshielded conductors shall not exceed 1 in.
(25 mm). To meet this requirement the length of shield pigtail may be longer than 1 inch, if
necessary, to reach ground but shall be kept to a minimum.

(c) Cables which penetrate walls or panels of cases or enclosures without the use of connectors
shall have their shields bonded to the penetrated surface in the manner shown in Figure 13c).
Overall shields shall be terminated to the outer surface of cases to the maximum extent
possible.

(d) Grounding of overall shields to terminal strips shall be as shown in Figure 14, Grounding
Overall Shield to Terminal Strip.

66
(e) The shields of the individual pairs shall be grounded as specified in paragraph 3.15.3.2.

Figure 13. Grounding of Overall Cable Shields to Connectors and Penetrating Walls

3.15.4 Space Separation

The design and layout of facilities shall physically separate electronic equipment and conductors
that produce interference from equipment and conductors that are susceptible to interference. In
general, electronic equipment and conductors that carry, produce or use high levels of current
(greater than 100 ma) or voltage (12V or more), including pulse power, can produce interference.
Electronic equipment and conductors that carry, produce or receive low voltage or power levels
are susceptible to interference. The minimum separation distance between power and signal

67
cables shall be in accordance with Table VII.

Figure 14. Grounding of Overall Cable Shield to Terminal Strip

3.15.5 Electromagnetic Environment Control

Shielding shall be integrated with other basic interference control measures such as filtering,
wire routing, cable and circuit layout, signal processing, spectrum control, and frequency
assignment to achieve the highest operational reliability of the equipment. Implementation
procedures necessary to achieve the required filtering and shielding shall be detailed in the
control plan described in paragraph 4.2 to include material requirements, shield configurations,
placement and installation limitations, gasket utilization, filter integration, aperture control,
bonding and grounding requirements, and wire routing and circuit layout constraints.

Table VII. Minimum Separation Distance Between Signal and Power Cables.
Minimum Separation Distance
Condition < 2 kVA 2-5 kVA > 5 kVA
Unshielded power lines or electrical equipment in 5 in. 12 in. 24 in.
proximity to signal conductors in open or nonmetal (127 mm) (305 mm) (610 mm)
pathways.
Unshielded power lines or electrical equipment in 2.5 in. 6 in. 12 in.
proximity to signal conductors in a grounded metal (64 mm) (152 mm) (305 mm)
conduit pathway.

68
Power lines enclosed in a grounded metal conduit - 3 in. 6 in.
(or equivalent shielding) in proximity to signal (76 mm) (152 mm)
conductors in a grounded metal conduit pathway.

3.15.5.1 Materials
Shields shall be constructed of a material that provides the required degree of signal suppression
without incurring unnecessary expense and weight. In the choice of the material, the amplitude
and frequency of the signals to be attenuated, the characteristics of the electromagnetic field of
the signal (i.e., the signal being coupled via inductive, capacitive, or free space means),
configuration and installation constraints, and corrosion properties shall be considered.

3.15.5.2 Gaskets
Conductive gaskets conforming to paragraph 0 shall be utilized at joints, seams, access covers,
removable partitions, and other shield discontinuities to the extent necessary to provide
interference- free operation of the equipment under normal use and environmental conditions.
Finger stock used on doors, covers, or other closures subject to frequent openings shall be
installed in a manner that permits easy cleaning and repair.

3.15.5.3 Filter Integration

Filters on power, control, and signal lines shall be installed in a manner that maintains the
integrity of the shield. AC power filters shall be completely shielded with the filter case
grounded in accordance with paragraph 3.13.6. Filters for control and signal lines shall be
placed as close as possible to the point of penetration of the case to avoid long, unprotected paths
inside the equipment.

3.15.5.4 Control of Apertures

Unnecessary apertures shall be avoided. Only those shield openings needed to achieve proper
functioning and operation of the equipment shall be provided. Controls, switches, and fuse
holders shall be mounted so close metal-to- metal contact is maintained between the cover
housing of the devices and the case. Metal control shafts shall be grounded in accordance with
paragraph 3.13.5.1. Where nonconductive control shafts are necessary, a waveguide-below-
cutoff metal sleeve peripherally bonded to the case shall be provided for the shaft. The cutoff
frequency for the circular waveguide shall be considerably higher than the equipment operating
frequency. The length of the sleeve shall be no less than four times its diameter. Pilot lights
shall be filtered or shielded as needed to maintain the required degree of shielding effectiveness.
Ventilation and drainage holes shall not penetrate RF compartments if at all possible. If
necessary, ventilation and drainage holes shall utilize waveguide-below-cutoff honeycomb or
other appropriate screening. Care shall be taken to assure that honeycomb and screens are well
bonded to the shield completely around the opening.

3.15.5.5 Bonding and Grounding of Compartment Shields

All shields shall be grounded. Bonding sha ll be accomplished in accordance with paragraph
3.14.

3.15.5.6 Wire and Cable Routing

The routing and layout of wires and cables shall be performed in a manner that does not

69
jeopardize the integrity of the equipment shield. High level signals shall be routed as far as
feasible from low level signals. AC power cable and control lines subject to large transients
shall be routed away from sensitive digital or other susceptible circuits. Shielded cables shall be
used for either extremely low or high level signals. Cable shields shall be grounded in
accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 3.15.3.2, 3.15.3.3 and 3.10.8.2.

3.15.5.7 Circuit Layout

Circuit layout techniques that provide maximum practical separation between high and low level
signals shall be employed. High level pulse, switching, and power circuits shall be separated
from low level digital, analog and similar sensitive circuits. Sensitive conductors internal to
circuits shall not be laid out parallel to unshielded wires and cables subject to external
interference. Shield terminations and connections to the signal reference ground shall be as short
as practical.

3.16 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Minimization, Control and Prevention Requirements

Modern electronic and electronically controlled electrical equipment with high-speed, closely
spaced circuitry and miniaturized components is highly susceptible to damage from Electrostatic
Discharge (ESD). This phenomenon is most often related to operator contact with ESD
susceptible items and must be considered when troubleshooting equipment. The requirements of
this section are designed to reduce the frequency of ESD events and to minimize the effects. All
electronic circuitry that contains miniaturized or solid-state components shall be considered ESD
susceptible. Additional guidance on ESD is available in the FAA Orange Book on Electrostatic
Discharge, dated July 1, 1996.

3.16.1 ESD Sensitivity Classification.

Classification of items as ESD sensitive shall be in accordance with the Human Body Model
testing procedures and requirements of ESD-STM 5.1, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Sensitivity
Testing, Human Body Model (HBM) – Component Level. Electronic parts, components, and
assemblies shall be classified as either sensitive or supersensitive. Items that will fail from ESD
at 1000 to 16000 volts shall be classified as ESD sensitive. Those items that will fail below 1000
volts shall be classified as supersensitive. Any exceptions to this guidance shall be through the
OPI of this document. ESD sensitive devices with sensitivity of less than +/- 200 volts may
require additional ESD protection measures than those specified in this standard. ESD
susceptible items shall not be exposed to an electrostatic field (E- field) greater than 100
volts/meter or brought closer than 24” to known static generators or non-essential insulative
materials.

3.16.2 ESD Protection Requirements.

All NAS electrical and electronic equipment, subassemblies, and components subject to damage
from exposure to electrostatic fields or electrostatic discharge (ESD) shall be protected in
accordance with the protection requirements herein. ESD controlled areas shall be provided for
all operations, storage, repair, and maintenance spaces used for electrical and electronic
equipment or subassemblies that are subject to damage from static electricity or ESD.

70
3.16.3 Circuit and Equipment Design.

3.16.3.1 Circuit Design and Layout.

The design, layout, and packaging of assemblies, circuits, and components integrated into
electrical and electronic equipment shall incorporate methods and techniques to reduce
susceptibility to ESD

3.16.3.2 Component Protection.

Integrated circuits, discrete components, and other parts without internal ESD protection that are
inherently susceptible to ESD and have exposed conductive paths shall be externally protected
by a capacitor, SAS, or a varistor. Protective components shall be installed as close as possible
to the ESD susceptible item.

3.16.3.3 ESD Withstand Requirements.

In the installed and operational configuration, all equipment cabinets, enclosures, racks,
controls, meters, displays, test points, interfaces, etc, shall withstand a static discharge of 15,000
volts per ESD Associatio n Standard Test Method ESD-STM 5.1, Electrostatic Discharge
Sensitivity Testing – Human Body Model (HBM). To successfully pass HBM testing
requirements, equipment that is tested shall not suffer any operational upset or damage to any
component or assembly.

3.16.4 Classification of Materials.

3.16.4.1 General
Most materials and products that are used to control and prevent ESD are made of conductive or
static dissipative materials that are classified by their resistive properties. Antistatic materials are
an exception to this and are classified by their propensity to generate static electricity from
triboelectric charging. Any material used for construction of ESD protected areas (with the
exception of antistatic materials) shall meet the resistive properties specified for type and use of
the material. Materials that will tribocharge to greater than +/- 200 volts (EIA-625), if the
material were to contact and separate from itself or from other materials, shall not be used in
ESD controlled areas.

3.16.4.2 Conductive Materials.

Those materials with a surface resistance (Rtt ) less than 1.0 x 105 ohms per ANSI/EOS/ESD
S11.1 shall be considered to be conductive. Conductive ESD control materials may create an
electrical shock hazard if used near energized equipment and shall not be used for ESD control
worksurfaces, table top mats, floor mats, flooring, or carpeting where personnel may come in
contact with energized electrical or electronic equipment. Conductive ESD control materials are
not to be used in any other application where their use could result in EMI or RFI that would be
created by rapid, high voltage ESD spark discharges. Any exceptions to this guidance shall be
through the OPI of this document.

3.16.4.3 Electrostatic Shielding Materials.

Electrostatic shielding materials are a subset of conductive materials with a surface resistance
equal to or less than 1.0 x 103 ohms (ANSI/EOS/ESD S 11.11). Electrostatic shielding materials

71
may be used as barriers for protection of ESD sensitive items from electrostatic fields where
required.

3.16.4.4 Electromagnetic Shielding Materials.

Electromagnetic shielding materials with highly conductive surfaces (< 10 ohms) or specifically
designed composite materials that absorb and reflect electromagnetic radiation over a broad
range of frequencie s may also be used as barriers where required to protect ESD sensitive items
from electromagnetic fields.

3.16.4.5 Static Dissipative Materials.

Those materials with a surface resistance greater than 1.0 x 105 ohms but less than or equal to
1.0 x 1012 ohms (ANSI/EOS/ESD-S11.11) are classified as static dissipative materials. Static
dissipative materials with a surface resistance less than or equal to 1.0 x 109 ohms shall be used
to provide controlled bleed-off of accumulated static charges in ESD controlled areas. Static
dissipative materials with a surface resistance of greater than 1.0 x 109 ohms but less than 1 x
1012 ohms shall not be used for applications where controlled bleed-off of accumulated static
charges is essential. Any exception to this guidance shall be through the OPI of this document.

3.16.4.6 Antistatic Materials.

Any material that inhibits or has a low propensity to generate static electricity from triboelectric
charging shall be considered antistatic. Antistatic ESD control items and materials used for
construction of ESD controlled areas in new or renovated facilities shall not tribocharge to
greater than +/- 200 volts when being used for their intended application. Antistatic materials
with a surface resistance greater than 1 x 109 ohms shall not be used for ESD protective work
surfaces, tabletop mats, floor mats, flooring, and carpeting when charge dissipation is the
primary consideration. If the surface resistance (Rtt ) of an antistatic material is greater than 1012
ohms it shall normally be considered to be too resistive for use in ESD controlled areas. Use of
antistatic items and materials that utilize hygroscopic surfactants that depend on ambient
humidity to promote absorption of water shall be limited. Only antistatic materials that are
intrinsically antistatic and will retain their antistatic properties shall be used in ESD controlled
areas. Exceptions to this guidance shall be through the OPI of this document. However, if
controlled charge bleed-off is not a primary consideratio n, an antistatic material with a surface
resistivity below 1.0 x 1012 ohms or volume resistivity less than 1.0 x 1011 ohm-cm can be used
to inhibit triboelectric charging.

3.16.4.7 Static-Generative Materials, Non-Conductors, and Insulators

Materials having a surface resistance greater than 1.0 x 1012 ohms (ANSI/EOS/ESD-S 11.11)
shall be considered to be insulators and a possible source of triboelectric charging. These
include common plastics, Plexiglas, Styrofoam, Teflon, nylon, rubber, untreated polyethylene,
and polyurethane. Their use shall be minimized where ESD sensitive items are located.

3.16.5 Protection of ESD Susceptible and Sensitive Items

3.16.5.1 Static Protected Zone

A static protected zone shall be a volume or area where unprotected ESD sensitive items will be
72
protected from direct contact with electrostatic potentials greater than +/- 200 volts, electrostatic
fields greater than 100 volts/meter, or radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio
frequency interference (RFI) produced by rapid, high vo ltage ESD spark discharges. Static
protected zones shall be incorporated into the construction of ESD special protection areas, ESD
protected workstations, and ESD protected storage areas.

3.16.5.2 ESD Special Protection Areas.

Special protection areas shall be designated areas that require extraordinary ESD control
measures to accomplish the following: minimize triboelectric charging; control bleed-off and
dissipation of accumulated static charges; neutralize charges; and minimize the effects of E-
Fields, H-Fields, and EMI and RFI from ESD spark discharges. Areas within a facility that shall
be designated as ESD special protection areas are: air traffic operations areas (e.g., tower cab,
TRACON, ARTCC control rooms, AFSS, etc.); electronic equipment rooms; storage areas for
ESD susceptible components, subassemblies, circuit cards, etc.; and areas that contain personal
computers and Local Area Networks (LANs) that are connected to or interface directly with
NAS electronic equipment. All other locations where jacks, plug in connectors or interfaces of
ESD sensitive electronic equipment are exposed and vulnerable to damage from ESD by direct
human contact shall also be designated as ESD special protection areas.

3.16.5.2.1 ESD Controls Required for ESD Special Protection Are as.
The following minimum ESD control measures shall be implemented in all areas designated as
ESD special protection areas:

3.16.5.2.1.1 ESD Groundable Point (GP).

Each ESD control material, surface, or item used in an ESD controlled area shall have a
designated groundable point (GP) to provide ease of connection to a common groundable point.
The common groundable point (GP) shall be designated as ESD Common Point Ground or ESD
ground. The common groundable point shall accommodate electrical connections from the
groundable points of all elements of the ESD control system in the area served and shall also be
connected to the nearest multipoint ground.

3.16.5.2.1.2 Grounded Static Dissipative Surfaces.

All work surfaces which includes work surface laminates, paints and sealers, writing surfaces,
table tops, consoles, and table top mats shall be static dissipative and connected to a common
ground point (e.g., ESD common point ground or ESD ground) or directly to the multipoint
grounding system in the area served. The point-to-point resistance and surface to ground
resistance of static dissipative work surfaces shall be greater than 1.0 x 106 ohms and less than
1.0 x 109 ohms (ESD-STM 4.1, for the Protection of Electrostatic Discharge Susceptible Items -
Worksurfaces - Resistive Characterization).

3.16.5.2.1.3 Limiting the Use of Non-ESD Control Materials.

Materials that will tribocharge (e.g., generate electrostatic potentials by contact and separation
with themselves or other materials) shall not be used for construction in ESD special protection
areas. Insulative materials and any other non-essential triboelectric charge generators that
generate potentials in excess of +/- 200 volts shall not be permitted within 24” of ESD special
protection areas.

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3.16.5.2.1.4 Static Dissipative Chairs.
Chairs (e.g., seating) provided for ESD special protection areas shall incorporate a continuous
path between all chair elements (e.g., cushion and arm rests) to the ground point of greater than
1.0 x 104 ohms to less than 1.0 x 109 ohms. The ground point for ESD chairs shall be
considered to be the static dissipative or conductive casters that provide electrical continuity
from all elements of the chair to an ESD control floor (e.g., ESD control carpeting, tile, or floor
mats) that is properly bonded to an appropriate ESD ground. ESD control chairs must be tested
and meet the requirements of ESD Association Standard Test Method, ESD STM 12.1, Seating -
Resistive Measurement.

3.16.5.2.1.5 Static Dissipative ESD Control Floor Coverings.

Static dissipative ESD control floor coverings shall include static dissipative tile, carpeting, static
limiting floor finishes, and floor mats. Floor coverings in ESD special protection areas shall
have a point-to-point resistance and surface-to-ground resistance of greater than 2.5 x 104 ohms
and less than 1.0 x 109 ohms (ANSI/ESD-S7.1, Resistive Characterization of Materials - Floor
Materials). These floor coverings shall be bonded to a ground point (e.g., ESD common point
ground) or directly to the multipoint grounding system in the area served in accordance with
paragraph 3.16.5.2.1.1.

3.16.5.2.1.6 Relative Humidity Control.

Relative humidity in ESD special protection areas shall be maintained within the range of 40 –
60%.

3.16.5.3 ESD Signs, Labels, Cautions, and Warnings.

ESD warning signs that include ESD sensitive device warning symbols with appropriate cautions
and warnings shall be posted in ESD special protection areas and all other ESD controlled areas.
Exterior cabinets of ESD sensitive electronic equipment shall also be marked or labeled with an
ESD sensitive device symbol with a warning that is visible from at least 3 feet from the
equipment.

3.16.5.4 ESD Protected Workstations.

In addition to the ESD controls specified in paragraph 3.16.3.2 through paragraph 3.16.3.3 the
following shall apply to all ESD protected workstations.

3.16.5.4.1 ESD Protected Workstation Minimum Requirements

All ESD control items at an ESD protected workstations shall be connected to a common
groundable point (e.g., ESD common point ground) that is connected to the multipoint grounding
system in the area served. ESD protected workstations shall provide a means of personnel
grounding (e.g., grounded wrist strap or conductive footwear in conjunction with ESD static
dissipative floor or mat) and shall have a grounded static dissipative work surface, grounded
static dissipative ESD control floor or mat, and be free of all non-essential static charge
generators. Storage containers that may be provided at ESD protected workstation shall provide
ESD protection and shall also be connected to the ESD ground. All outlets at ESD protected
workstations shall be protected with ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI) capability to
minimize danger to grounded personnel from electrical shock..

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3.16.5.4.2 Use of Ionization.
Selective use of bench top or area ionizers may be considered at ESD protected workstations if
static generative items (e.g., insulators) are deemed essential and cannot be removed from ESD
protected workstation areas or if grounding of mobile personnel would be cumbersome or create
a safety hazard.

3.16.5.4.3 Identification of ESD Protected Workstations.

The boundaries of all ESD protected workstations shall be clearly defined. The boundaries of
ESD protected workstations shall extend a minimum of 24” beyond where ESD sensitive items
will be located and should be marked with yellow tape. ESD warning signs that are yellow with
black markings and lettering shall be posted that will be visible to anyone entering these areas.
Signs shall include an ESD sensitive electronic device warning symbol and appropriate warnings
and cautions.

3.16.5.5 ESD Protective Storage Areas.

3.16.5.5.1 Shelves, Bins, and Drawers.

Shelves, bins, and drawers shall be static dissipative and electrically continuous with the support
structure of the storage shelves, bins, or container.

3.16.5.5.2 Grounding.
The storage container metal support structure shall have a groundable point (GP) that shall be
connected to the ESD common point ground or directly to the nearest multipoint ground. The
resistance from the ground point of storage containers, shelving, cabinets, and bins used to store
ESD sensitive items to the multipoint ground system shall be less than one ohm.

3.16.5.5.3 Personnel Grounding.

Wrist straps shall be equipped with 1megaohm or greater series resistance to protect personnel.
Standard 0.157” banana jacks for personnel grounding wrist straps shall be connected to an ESD
ground point or directly to the multipoint ground of the area served. The resistance from a
banana jack to a ground point and/or to the nearest multipoint ground shall be less than one ohm.

3.16.5.5.4 Prohibited Materials in ESD Protective Storage Areas.

Static generative (e.g., insulative) materials shall not be used for construction in any areas where
ESD sensitive items will be stored. All materials that can generate potentials greater than +/-
200 volts shall be a minimum of 24” from ESD protected storage areas.

3.16.5.5.5 Resistance to ESD Ground for Shelves, Drawers, and Bins.

All surfaces and drawers of the storage media provided shall be made with static dissipative
materials and meet the requirements and be tested the same as work surfaces (ANSI/EOS/ESD S
4.1). The surface-to-surface resistance (Rtt ) and surface-to- ground resistance (Rtg) from the
shelves, bins, and drawers of storage containers that will be used to store unprotected ESD
sensitive items shall be greater than 1.0 x 106 ohms and less than 1.0 x 109 ohms (ESD
Association Advisory, ESD ADV 53.1, for the Protectio n of Electrostatic Discharge Susceptible
Items - ESD Protective Workstations).

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3.16.5.5.6 Identification of ESD Protective Storage Areas.
The boundaries of all ESD protective storage areas shall be clearly defined. Boundaries of ESD
protective storage areas shall extend a minimum of 24” beyond where ESD sensitive items will
be located and should be marked with yellow tape. ESD warning signs that are yellow with
black markings and lettering shall be posted that will be visible to anyone entering these areas.
Signs shall include an ESD sensitive electronic device warning symbol and appropriate warnings
and cautions.

3.16.6 Hard and Soft Grounds.

3.16.6.1 Hard Grounds.

Any item, material, or product that is a part of the ESD control system that is intentionally or
unintentionally connected directly to an ESD ground point (e.g., ESD common point ground
reference) or directly bonded to a multipoint ground shall be considered to be hard grounded.
Unless specified otherwise or justified by the OPI for this document, ESD control worksurfaces,
cabinets, flooring, carpeting, test equipment, and any other items used for ESD control shall be
hard grounded to an ESD common point ground reference as specified above.

3.16.6.2 Soft Grounds.

A soft ground is the intentional connection to ground through a series resistor that will limit
current flow to a predetermined maximum safe level if a person connected to the soft ground
were to come into direct contact with a known potential. The soft ground concept shall only be
used in personnel grounding skin contact devices such as wrist straps, leg or ankle straps,
conductive shoes, and heel or toe grounders. All other elements of the ESD control system shall
be hard grounded. Any exceptions to this guidance shall be through the OPI of this document.
The nominal resistance of the resistor used for soft grounding of personnel shall be not less than
1.0 X106 ohm unless otherwise specified by the OPI for this document.

3.16.7 ESD Control Floor and Coverings

All ESD control floors and floor coverings shall be installed, grounded, and initially tested only
by trained installers. ESD control floors and floor coverings shall be bonded to the nearest
multipoint ground at a minimum of four locations using 2” wide 26 gauge copper, copper foil,
conductive fabric grounding ribbon, or stranded wire that makes electrical contact with the
underside of the floor material or is embedded in the conductive permanent or releasable
adhesive used to lay the floor. Refer to Table III for equivalent wire sizes.

3.16.7.1 Surface Resistivity (R tt).

Surface resistivity (Rtt - Resistance top-to-top or surface-to-surface) of ESD control floors,
carpets or floor mats shall be not be less than 2.5 x 104 ohms or more than 1.0 x 108 ohms
(ANSI/ESD S 7.1). A minimum of 5 readings at different locations on the floor surface shall be
taken and averaged together for each 500 square feet (or fraction thereof) of floor surface. These
readings shall be recorded in the Facility Reference Data File.

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3.16.7.2 Resistance Surface-to-Ground.
Resistivity from the floor surface to ground (R tg - Resistance top-to-ground) of ESD control
floors, carpets, or floor mats shall be greater than 2.5 x 104 ohms and less than 1.0 x 108 ohms
(ANSI/ESD S 7.1). A minimum of 5 readings shall be taken at different locations on the floor
surface and averaged together for each 500 square feet (or fraction thereof) of floor surface.
These readings shall be recorded in the Facility Reference Data File.

3.16.7.3 Triboelectric Charging Limitation.

ESD control floors, carpets, or floor mats shall limit and control generation and accumulation of
static charges to less than +/- 200 volts in ESD controlled areas.
3.16.7.4 Raised Floor Installation.

3.16.7.4.1 Resistance from Carpet Surface to Pedestal Understructure.

Carpet tiles that are installed on raised floor panels with conductive adhesive shall have a
maximum resistance from the carpeted surface of the raised floor to the pedestal of not less than
2.5 x 104 nor more than 1 x 108 ohms.

3.16.7.4.2 Panel to Understructure Resistance.

Panel-to- understructure (metal-to- metal) contact resistances between individual access floor
panels and the raised floor understructure shall be 10 ohms or less.

3.16.7.4.3 Carpet Tile Installation on Raised Floor Panels.

Individual carpet tiles may be installed on raised floor panels with either permanent or releasable
conductive adhesive depending on the application.

3.16.7.4.3.1 Grounding.
There shall be a minimum of 4 connections from the carpeting undersurface and conductive
adhesive to the raised floor panel understructure with 2” x 24” 26 AWG copper or copper foil
strip per 1,000 square feet of installed ESD control carpeting.

3.16.7.4.4 Carpet Tile Installation with Positioning Buttons .

Carpet tiles may be installed with four permanently attached ultrasonically welded positioning
buttons that can be inserted into positioning holes of specially designed access floor panels. The
bare panel shall be coated with electrically conductive epoxy paint that will provide a maximum
resistance of 1.0 x 103 ohms between the electrically conductive vinyl backing of the carpet tile
to the raised floor understructure when the carpeting is mated with the access floor panel. These
tiles using ultrasonically welded positioning buttons shall meet the surface to surface and surface
to pedestal resistance requirements listed in paragraphs 3.16.7.1 and 3.16.7.2.

3.16.8 ESD Protective Worksurfaces.

Static dissipative materials or electrostatic dissipative laminates shall be used to cover all
worksurfaces, consoles, workbenches, and writing surfaces in areas that contain ESD sensitive
equipment and in all areas designated as ESD special protection areas, static-safe zones, and
ESD protected areas.

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3.16.8.1 Requirements for ESD Protective Worksurfaces.
Static dissipative worksurfaces shall be provided for new or upgrade facilities unless otherwise
specified. Permanent static dissipative worksurfaces shall be connected to the closest ESD
common point ground, element of the multipoint grounding system, or multipoint ground plate.
Permanent ESD protective static dissipative worksurfaces shall have a resistance of not less than
1.0 x 106 ohms point-to-point (Rtt) in accordance with ANSI/EOS/ESD-S 4.1, ESD Protective
Worksurfaces - Resistive Characterization. Permanent ESD protective worksurfaces shall have a
resistance from their surface to the groundable point (Rtg) of not less than 1.0 x 106 ohms and
not more than 1.0 x 109 ohms (ANSI/EOS/ESD-S 4.1).

3.16.8.1.1 Acceptable Worksurface Types.

ESD protective worksurfaces used in new and upgraded FAA facilities shall meet the
requirements of MIL-PRF-87893, Performance Specification, Workstation, Electrostatic
Discharge Control and MIL-W-87893, Military Specification, Workstation, Electrostatic
Discharge (ESD) Control.

3.16.8.1.2 Type I Worksurface - Hard.

Type I worksurfaces shall be constructed of rigid static dissipative materials of any color having
an average Shore D hardness in excess of 90. Two male or female 10 mm (0.395”) ground snap
(female) or stud (male) fasteners shall be installed on both corners on one of the longest sides of
the worksurface to accommodate the male or female snap or stud fastener of the common point
grounding cord. The locations of the two snaps or studs shall be 2” in from each corner.

3.16.8.1.3 Type II Worksurface - Cushioned.

Type II worksurfaces shall be constructed of cushioned static dissipative materials of any color
having an average Shore A (ATSM D2240) hardness in excess of 45 and less than 85. Two male
or female 10 mm (0.395”) ground snap (female) or stud (male) fasteners shall be installed on
both corners on one of the longest sides of the worksurface to accommodate the male or female
snap or stud fastener of the common point grounding cord. The locations of the two male or
female snaps or studs shall be 2” in from each corner. No low-density open-cell materials shall
be used for Type II worksurfaces.

3.16.8.2 Static Dissipative Laminates.

High pressure, multi- layer static dissipative laminates shall be used to cover surfaces such as
plywood, fiber board, particle board, bench tops, counter tops, and consoles in ESD controlled
areas and special protection areas. The laminate shall include a buried conductive layer to
provide for ease of grounding using a through bolted pressure type ESD grounding terminus.
Static dissipative laminates shall be applied to surfaces using conventional contact adhesives.

3.16.8.3 Grounding of Laminated Surfaces.

The maximum resistance across the surface (Rtt) of the static dissipative laminate shall be less
than 1.0 x 108 ohms and the maximum resistance from the surface of the laminate to ground
(Rtg) shall be less than 1.0 x 107 ohms (ESD-STM 4.1). A minimum of 5 measurements of each
shall be taken and averaged together. The values of the measurements and averages shall be
recorded and maintained in the Facility Master File.
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3.16.9 Static Dissipative Coatings.
Permanent clear or colored coatings (e.g., paint) used in ESD controlled areas shall dissipate
static electricity. The surface resistance of static dissipative coatings shall not be less than 1.0 x
105 ohms or greater than 1.0 x 1010 ohms.

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4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

4.1 Electromagnetic Compatibility and Quality Assurance

4.1.1 General
A comprehensive plan for the application of various sections of this document is required to
assure the compatible operation of equipment in complex systems. Additional considerations of
this section shall be implemented to reduce susceptibility and emissions of equipment.

4.2 Requirements
The emission and susceptibility limits contained in MIL-STD-461 shall be applied unless
otherwise specified. An EMI Control and Test Plan shall be developed in accordance with MIL-
HDBK-237 to assure compliance with the applicable requirements. The plan shall include a
verification matrix to track the satisfaction of requirement by test, analysis or inspection.
Analyses or tests performed as part of paragraph 3.4 shall be identified in this plan.

4.3 Approval
Control Plans and Test Plans shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer for approval.

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5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY
Section is not applicable to this standard

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PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

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6. NOTES

6.1 Definitions

6.1.1 Access Well

A covered opening in the earth using concrete, clay pipe or other wall material to provide access
to an EES (EES) connection.

6.1.2 Air Terminal

That component of a lightning protection system specifically designed to intercept lightning
strikes.

6.1.3 Armored Cable

Power, signal, control or data cable having an overall armor constructed of ferrous (steel)
material that provides both structural protection and electromagnetic shielding for direct buried
cables.

6.1.4 Arrester
Components, devices or circuits used to attenuate, suppress, limit, and/or divert adverse electrical
(surge and transient) energy to ground. The terms arrester, suppressor and protector are used
interchangeably except that the term arrester is used herein for components, devices and circuits
at the service disconnecting means.

6.1.5 Bond
The electrical connection between two metallic surfaces used to provide a low resistance path
between them.

6.1.6 Bond, Direct

An electrical connection utilizing continuous metal-to- metal contact between the members being
joined.

6.1.7 Bond, Indirect

An electrical connection employing an intermediate electrical conductor between the bonded
members.

6.1.8 Bonding
The joining of metallic parts to form an electrically conductive path to assure electrical
continuity and the capacity to conduct current imposed between the metallic parts.

6.1.9 Bonding Jumper

A conductor installed to assure electrical conductivity between metal parts required to be
electrically connected.

6.1.10 Branch Circuit

The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the load
served.

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6.1.11 Brazing
A joining process using a filler metal with working temperature above 800°F but below the
melting point of the base metal(s). The filler material is distributed by capillary action.

6.1.12 Building
The fixed or transportable structure which provides environmental protection.

6.1.13 Bulkhead Plate

A metallic plate located where conduits, conductor, waveguides etc first enter the facility. The
bulkhead plate provides a convenient point for the grounding of conduits, conductors and
waveguides entering the facility or structure.

6.1.14 Cabinet
An enclosure designed either for surface mounting or flush mounting and is provided with a
frame, mat, or trim in which a swinging door or doors are or can be hung.

6.1.15 Cable
A fabricated assembly of one or more conductors in a single outer insulation. Types include
axial, armored and shielded.

6.1.15.1 Cable, AC (not the same as armored (DEB) cable)

Type AC cable is a fabricated assembly of insulated conductors in a flexible metallic enclosure.

6.1.15.2 Cable, Armored Direct Earth Burial (DEB)

Cable with a ferrous shield designed to provide both physical and electromagnetic protection to
the conductors.

6.1.15.3 Cable, Axial

Cable where all conductors are oriented on a single axis. Examples include coaxial, biaxial, and
triaxial cables

6.1.15.4 Cable, Shielded

Cable with a metallicized or braid shield to improve resistance to electromagnetic interference
(EMI).

6.1.16 Case
A protective housing for a unit or piece of electrical or electronic equipment.

6.1.17 Chassis
The metal structure that supports the electrical or electronic components which make up the unit
or system.

6.1.18 Clamp Voltage

Clamp voltage is the voltage that appears across the SPD terminals when the suppressor is
conducting a surge or transient current.

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6.1.19 Conductor
Bare or insulated, see below.

6.1.19.1 Conductor, Bare

A conductor that has no covering or electrical insulation.

6.1.19.2 Conductor, Insulated

A conductor encased within material of composition and thickness recognized by the NEC as
electrical insulation.

6.1.19.3 Conductor, Lightning Bonding (Secondary)

A conductor used to bond a metal object, within the zone of protection and subject to potential
build up different from the lightning current, to the lightning protection system.

6.1.19.4 Conductor, Lightning Down

The down conductor serves as the path to the earth grounding system from the roof system of air
terminals and roof conductors or from an overhead ground wire.

6.1.19.5 Conductor, Lightning Main

The main conductors are the conductors intended to carry lightning currents between air
terminals and ground terminations. These can be the roof conductors interconnecting the air
terminals on the roof, the conductor to connect a metal object on or above roof level that is
subject to a direct lightning strike to the lightning protection system, or the down conductor.

6.1.19.6 Conduc tor, Lightning Roof

Roof conductors interconnecting all air terminals to form a two-way path to ground from the
base of each air terminal.

6.1.20 Crowbar
In surge protective devices (SPD), the term “crowbar” refers to a method of shorting a surge
current to ground in surge protective devices. This method provides protection against more
massive surges than other types, but lowers the voltage below the operational voltage of the
electronic equipment causing noise and operational problems. It also permits a follow-on current
that can cause damage.

6.1.21 Current Issue

See Issue, Current

6.1.22 Earth Electrode System (EES)

A network of electrically interconnected rods, plates, mats, piping, incidental electrodes (metallic
tanks, etc.) or grids installed below grade to establish a low resistance contact with earth.

6.1.23 Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

Any emitted, radiated, conducted or induced voltage which degrades, obstructs, or interrupts the
desired performance of electronic equipment.

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6.1.24 Electronic Multipoint Ground System
An electrically continuous network consisting of interconnected ground plates, equipment racks,
cabinets, conduit junction boxes, raceways, duct work, pipes, copper grid system, building steel,
and other non-current-carrying metal elements. It includes cond uctors, jumpers and straps that
connect individual items of electronic equipment to the electronic multipoint ground system.

6.1.25 Electronic Single Point Ground System

A signal reference network which provides a single point reference in the facility for equip ment
that requires single point grounding. The single point ground system is laid out in a manner that
minimizes stray currents, and magnetic interference. It consists of conductors, plates and
equipment terminals, all of which are isolated from any other grounding system except at the
main ground plate.

6.1.26 Equipment Areas

Areas that contain electronic equipment used to support NAS operation. These include
electronic equipment rooms, TELCO rooms, VORs, Radars etc.

6.1.27 Equipment Grounding Conductor

The conductor with the phase and neutral conductors used to connect non-current-carrying metal
parts of equipment, raceways, and other enclosures to the system grounded conductor and/or to
the grounding electrode conductors at the main service disconnecting means or at the point of
origin (Xo bond) of a separately derived system.

6.1.28 Equipment
A general term including materials, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, machines,
etc, used as a part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation.

6.1.29 Facility Ground System

Consists of the complete ground system at a facility including the EES (EES), electronic
multipoint ground system (MPG), electronic single point ground system (SPG), equipment
grounding conductors, grounding electrode conductor(s), and lightning protection system.

6.1.30 Faraday Cage

A closed conducting surface, such as wire mesh, completely surrounding an object or person so
as to protect from impinging electromagnetic waves. Unbonded penetrations of the cage will
result in a near complete loss of effectiveness. Effectiveness of a Faraday Cage is dependent
upon the conductivity and the spacing (aperture size) of the conducting elements.

6.1.31 Feeder
All circuit conductors between the service equipment or the source of a separately derived
system and the final branch circuit overcurrent device.

6.1.32 Fitting, High Compression

See “Pressure Connector”.

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6.1.33 Ground
A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit or
equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.

6.1.34 Grounded
Connected to earth or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.

6.1.35 Grounded Conductor

A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded at the service disconnecting means
or at the source of a separately derived system. This grounded conductor is the neutral conductor
for the power system.

6.1.36 Grounded, Effectively

Permanently connected to earth through a ground connection of sufficiently low impedance and
having sufficient current carrying capacity so that ground fault current which may occur cannot
build up to voltages dangerous to personnel.

6.1.37 Grounding Conductor

A conductor used to connect equipment or the grounded circuit of a wiring system to the
grounding electrode system. (In this standard, grounding conductors not related to or not used as
part of NEC required electrical system grounding, are used for the electronic equipment
grounding system).

6.1.38 Grounding Electrode

Copper rod, plate or wire embedded in the ground for the specific purpose of dissipating electric
energy to the earth.

6.1.39 Grounding Electrode Conductor

The conductor used to connect the grounding electrode to the equipment grounding conductor
and/or to the grounded (neutral) conductor of the facility at the service disconnecting means or at
the source of a separately derived system.

6.1.40 High frequency

All electrical signals at frequencies greater than 100 kilohertz (kHz). Pulse and digital signals
with rise and fall times of less than 10 µs are classified as high frequency signals.

6.1.41 Issue, Current

Current Issue (applied to versions of referenced documents) The current issue is the issue in
effect on the date of a contract signing when that contract references this document. In all other
cases it is the version of the referenced document in effect when planning for a design is
accomplished.

6.1.42 Landline
Any conductor, line or cable installed externally above or below grade to interconnect electronic
equipment in different facility structures or to interconnect externally mounted electronic
equipment.

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6.1.43 Line Replaceable Unit
Hardware elements whose design enables removal, replacement and checkout by organizational
maintenance.

6.1.44 Low Frequency

Includes all voltages and currents, whether signal, control, or power, from up to and including
100 kHz. Pulse and digital signals with rise and fall times of 10 µs or greater are considered to
be low frequency signals.

6.1.45 National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA-70)

A standard containing provisions considered necessary for safety governing the use of electrical
wire, cable, equipment and fixtures installed in buildings. It is sponsored by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) under the auspices of the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI).

6.1.46 Operational Areas

Areas used to provide NAS support such as IFR rooms, ARTCC control rooms, ATCT tower
cabs and operations control centers.

6.1.47 OPI
OPI is an acronym for Office of Primary Interest. The OPI is assigned responsibility for
maintaining and interpreting the document. When in doubt about the meaning of any
requirements in this document contact the OPI for clarification and additional guidance.

6.1.48 Overshoot Voltage

The fast rising voltage that appears across transient suppressor terminals before the suppressor
turns on (conducts current) and clamps the input voltage to a specified level.

6.1.49 Pressure Connector

For purpose of this document, “FAA approved pressure connectors” shall be those that use
hydraulic crimpers to effect closure.

6.1.50 Rack
A frame in which one or more equipment units are mounted.

6.1.51 Reference Plane or Point, Electronic Signal (Signal Ground)

The conductive terminal, wire, bus, plane, or network which serves as the relative zero potential
for all associated electronic signals.

6.1.52 Reverse Standoff or Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV)

The maximum voltage that can be applied across transient suppressor terminals with the transient
suppressor remaining in a non-conducting state.

6.1.53 Shield
A housing, screen, or cover which substantially reduces the coupling of electric and magnetic

89
fields into or out of circuits or prevents accidental contact of objects or persons with parts or
components operating at hazardous voltage levels.

6.1.54 Structure
Any fixed or transportable building, shelter, tower, or mast that is intended to house electrical or
electronic equipment or otherwise support or function as an integral element of the air traffic
control system.

6.1.55 Surge
An over voltage of short duration occurring on a power line. Lightning or switching events may
cause surges.

6.1.56 Susceptibility Level

The electronic equipment susceptibility level is the least of the damage, degradation, or upset
levels considering all electronic components potentially affected by conducted or radiated
transients.

6.1.57 Transient
An overvoltage or overcurrent pulse on a signal, control, or data line. Transients are typically a
lightning related phenomenon.

6.1.58 Transient Suppressor

Components, devices or circuits designed for the purpose of attenuating and suppressing
conducted transient and surge energy to ground to protect facility equipment. At the service
disconnecting means, the term “arrester” is generally used instead of transient suppressor. The
term surge protective device (SPD) is preferred.

6.1.59 Turn-on Voltage

The voltage required across transient suppressor terminals to caus e the suppressor to conduct
current.

6.1.60 Zone of Protection

The zone of protection is that space adjacent to a lightning protection system that has a reduced
probability of receiving a direct lightning strike.

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6.2 Acronyms and Abbreviations

The following are acronyms and abbreviations used in this standard

A Amperes L-L Line to Line
AC Alternating current L-N Line to Neutral
ANSI American National Standards Institute LRU Line replacement unit
AWG American Wire Gauge m Meter
Cm Centimeter(s) mA Milliampere
Cmil Circular mils MCM See kcmil
DC Direct current MCOV Maximum continuous operating voltage
e.g. For example MHz Megahertz
EES Earth electrode system MPG Electronic multipoint ground system
EMI Electromagnetic interference mm Millimeter(s)
EPP Equipotential plane NAS National Airspace System
EOS Electrical overstress NEC National Electrical Code
ESD Electrostatic discharge NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Et.al. And others NFPA National Fire Protection Association
FAA Federal Aviation Administration No. Number
ft. Foot (feet) OPI Office of Primary Interest
GP Groundable point PVC Polyvinyl chloride
Hz Hertz RF Radio frequency
i.e. That is RGS Rigid galvanized steel
IEC International Electrotechnical Committee RFI Radio frequency interference
in. Inch(es) RMM Remote maintenance monitoring
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics SAS Silicon avalanche diode suppressors
Engineers
kA Kiloampere SPD Surge protective device
kcmil Thousand circular mils SPG Electronic single point ground system
kg Kilogram SRG Signal reference grid
kHz Kilohertz UL Underwriters Laboratories
LAN Local area network µs Microseconds
“ Inch(es) V Volts
# Number ‘ Foot(feet)
L-G Line to Ground

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6.3 Guidelines

Engineering design guidelines are provided for lightning protection, grounding, bonding,
shielding, and transient protection in FAA Orders 6950.19 and 6950.20. Guidance for EMI
protection is in MIL-HDBK-253, and for electrostatic discharge (ESD) in NFPA 77, DOD-
HDBK-263 and DOD-STD-1686.

92