User manual
DEFINITY Enterprise Communications Server Release 6
Installation and Test for Compact Modular Cabinets 
555-230-128 
Issue 3
May 1998
Install and Cable the Cabinets 
Page 1-15AC Power and Ground 
1
Approved Grounds
An approved ground is the closest acceptable medium for grounding the 
building entrance protector, entrance cable shield, or single-point ground of 
electronic telephony equipment. If more than 1 type of approved ground is 
available on the premises, the grounds must be bonded together as required in 
Section 250-81 of the National Electrical Code.
Grounded Building Steel 
— The metal frame of the building where it is 
effectively grounded by 1 of the following grounds: acceptable metallic water 
pipe, concrete encased ground, or a ground ring.
Acceptable Water Pipe 
— A metal underground water pipe, at least 1/2-inch 
(1.3 cm) in diameter, in direct contact with the earth for at least 10 feet (3 m). The 
pipe must be electrically continuous (or made electrically continuous by bonding 
around insulated joints, plastic pipe, or plastic water meters) to the point where 
the protector ground wire connects. A metallic underground water pipe must be 
supplemented by the metal frame of the building, a concrete-encased ground, or 
a ground ring. If these grounds are not available, the water pipe ground can be 
supplemented by 1 of the following types of grounds:
■ Other local metal underground systems or structures — Local 
underground structures such as tanks and piping systems
■ Rod and pipe electrodes — A 5/8-inch (1.6 cm) solid rod or 3/4-inch (2 
cm) conduit or pipe electrode driven to a minimum depth of 8 feet (2.4 m)
■ Plate electrodes — Must have a minimum of 2 square feet 
(0.185 square m) of metallic surface exposed to the exterior soil
Concrete Encased Ground 
— An electrode encased by at least 2 inches 
(5.1 cm) of concrete and located within and near the bottom of a concrete 
foundation or footing in direct contact with the earth. The electrode must be at 
least 20 feet (6.1 m) of 1 or more steel reinforcing bars or rods 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) 
in diameter, or at least 20 feet (6.1 m) of bare, solid copper, 4 AWG (26 mm
2
) 
wire.
Ground Ring 
— A buried ground that encircles a building or structure at a depth 
of at least 2.5 feet (0.76 m) below the earth’s surface. The ground ring must be at 
least 20 feet (6.1 m) of 2 AWG (35 mm
2
), bare, copper wire.










