Installation Guide

Example 2. Site frost depth = 1’-6" and local codes require the ground ring to be installed
minimum 2’-6" below grade. Minimum ground rod length = 10’-0" since it is greater than 9’-0"
(1.5+10-2.5).
Chemical Ground Rod Installation
If required, install chemical ground rods and bond the chemical ground rod to the BGR with No. 2
AWG BTCW. Refer to the illustration under To install a chemical ground rod on page 101.
Installing a Chemical Ground Rod
1. Auger a vertical hole in the earth with a minimum diameter of six inches. For ‘L’ shaped
chemical ground rods, dig a trench 12 inches wide.
The depth of the hole must be six inches greater than the vertical length of the rod.
2. Remove the sealing tapes from the bottom of the unit only. Tapes must be saved and made
available for inspection by the contracted engineer to verify removal and proper installation.
For ‘L’ shaped models, remove only the tape on the horizontal section.
3. Position the chemical ground rod unit in the hole.
4. Mix the backfill material if required. Pour backfill around rod in augured hole. Fill up to red
"Bury to Here" marker. Do not overfill.
5. Place inspection hand hole box with cover over the top of the rod so that the cover is at grade
level. Use backfill or grout to stabilize box around the rod. Keep the breather holes free of
obstruction and debris. The top of the box should not contact the top of the rod.
Note: Protective cover box must be either concrete or PVC construction and must be 12
inches by 24 inches by 22 inches deep, or equivalent.
6. Remove the top sealing tape ONLY after backfill is complete. This prevents soil from
blocking the breather holes. Tapes must be saved and made available to the Inspector to
verify removal and proper installation.
When an Itron TCU / CCU / Repeater is co-located with another wireless service provider’s site,
bond Itron’s grounding system to the tower BGR, to another provider’s ground system, or to the
common ground ring to ensure that all ground systems are at the same potential.
Perform bonding at the earth ground ring level using a minimum of No. 2 AWG BTCW. When
bonding to another service provider’s ground ring, connect the Itron ring at two locations to the
existing grounding systems.
The size of the wire depends on the distance between the two systems. In most cases, if the two
systems are located in the same compound, No. 2 AWG BTCW will suffice.
The following illustration shows exterior ground details.
CCU100 and Repeater100 Installation Guide F Grounding Specifications
12 February 2021 815-0491-00 Itron, Inc. Page 112 of 133