Panduit StructuredGround™ Grounding System for Data Center Grounding
The Purpose of Grounding
The grounding system is not just an insurance policy against a lightning strike. It is an active, functioning system that provides protection for personnel and equipment. Proper grounding is essential for efficient network performance. The purpose of the grounding system is to create a low impedance path to earth ground for electrical surges and transient voltages. Lightning, fault currents, circuit switching (motors turning on and off), and electrostatic discharge are the common causes of these surges and transient voltages. An effective grounding system minimizes the detrimental effects of these electrical surges. A properly designed grounding system is one that is intentional, visually verifiable, adequately sized to handle expected currents safely, and one that directs these potentially damaging currents away from sensitive communication equipment. Any metallic component that is part of the data center infrastructure (such as equipment, racks, ladder racks, enclosures, cable trays, etc.) must be bonded to the grounding system....