Copper Clad Grounding Solutions
Guide for Communications and
Data Applications
The Better Alternative to Solid Copper
annealed ground strand grounding mats/reflectors
structure ground leads
office grounding
lightning protection
surge arrestor ground leads
Copper Clad Steel (CCS) Grounding Solutions
New Challenges
The volatility of copper pricing has created a major concern for the
telecommunications industry. Consider the impact of copper theft on
utilities in one year alone*:
• 95% of utilities affected
• 456,000 minutes of service outages
• Over $60M/year in cost to the utilities to address the problem
• Safety and liability concerns due to lost grounds
Alternative to Solid Copper
IEEE Std 80-2000 acknowledged the problem more than 10 years ago. “Copperclad steel is usually used for underground rods and occasionally for grounding grids,
especially where theft is a problem...”
CommScope’s copper clad steel is more economical both short term and long term
and offers the following features:
• Excellent current carrying capacity
• Lower weight per liner foot
• Durability and flexibility
• Low impedance path
• Excellent fusing current capabilities
• Significantly greater fatigue resistance than copper
Theft Deterrent
Copper bonding and grounding conductors are used in communications networks to provide equipment and personal protection. Interruption of ground connections due to theft may first go unnoticed, but can potentially cost millions of dollars in equipment
repair. If copper theft is costing your company money, CommScope’s bimetal grounding products can help.
Protect Your Investment
• Reduce the added costs associated with reinstallation of ground wire
• Improve the safety by utilizing proper grounding method
CCS Reduces Theft Risk
• Harder to cut
• Zero scrap value
*Source: “Copper Theft Baseline Survey of Utilities in the United States” –
Electrical Safety Foundation International (FSFI survey); January 2009
For more information, visit commscope.com
Subsurface Grounding Grids
Communication offices are required by code to have a multiple ground rod grid welded together with copper wire to minimize
ground resistance. Copper surface area, attachment hardware or equivalent fusing current are the requirements of this
“grounding grid”. Typical industry specifications require #2 AWG copper for this grid. CommScope offers
two 40% conductivity Copper Clad Steel (CCS) products at marked cost reductions to meet
these requirements.
Product
#2 Solid Copper
CommScope 7 strand
CCS OD
Equivalent
CommScope 7 strand
CCS Fusing Current Equivlent
Diameter (in)
.2576
.2576
.2921
Strength (lbs)
1909
1614
2085
Weight
201
145
188
Inside Plant Bonding and Grounding
Communications offices require thousands of pounds of copper
Standard Copper Size
CommScope equ CCA (per NEC)
grounding and bonding wire. The NEC allows for Copper Clad
#6 AWG stranded
#4 AWG stranded
Aluminum (CCA) in these applications. Although typically stranded 6
#4 AWG stranded
#2 AWG stranded
AWG copper is used other copper sizes are also used for particular
#2 AWG stranded
#0 AWG stranded
applications. CommScope offers 600 Volt, V W-1, CCA replacements
#8 AWG solid
#6 AWG solid
that meet NEC code for all your inside plant bonding and grounding
#6 AWG solid
#4 AWG solid
needs.
Outside Plant Bonding and Grounding
Outside plant also requires thousands of pounds of copper grounding and bonding wire. These products in particular are subject to
theft due to public availability. CommScope offers both bare and
jacketed “theft deterrent” products that save initial costs and decrease theft in turn increasing safety. All products meet NESC
requirements and are available as either bare or polyethylenecoated theft deterrent product.
Standard Copper Size
CommScope 40% CCS replacement size
#6 AWG
#6 AWG (RUS approved)
#14 AWG
#10 AWG (equal resistance)
Contact your CommScope representative for additional bimetals products or more detailed specifications.
For more information, visit commscope.com
CCS – Physically Stronger than Copper
Breaking Load Comparison of Selected Gauges
Bend Test Comparison of Selected Gauges
Pounds of force to
bend 90 degrees
Pounds
1500
4.5
1400
4.0
1300
3.5
1200
3.0
1100
2.5
1000
2.0
900
1.5
800
1.0
700
0.5
600
40% CCS
Annealed Copper
40% CCS
0.162 Diameter
Annealed Copper
0
40% CCS
Annealed Copper
0.162 Diameter
0.204 Diameter
40% CCS
Annealed Copper
0.204 Diameter
Quality Products
Available in a variety of gauges, engineered as single or stranded wire, CommScope CCS
ground wire is ideal for all your grounding applications. Copper clad steel is available in 30%
and 40% DSA (dead-soft annealed) and meets ASTM B-193, ASTM B-452, ASTM B-227,
ASTM B-228 and ASTM B-910 requirements and is RUS (Rural Utilities Service) listed. All
bimetallic products are processed at the company’s ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified facility located in Statesville, North Carolina.
Available Packaging
Approvals & Certifications
Reels
Stranded Products: 1000, 2500, 5000 ft. reels
Other lengths are available upon request
Coils
50 or 100 lb. coils of solid ground wire
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has awarded CommScope
technical acceptance of copper-clad steel pole ground
wire and steel conductor for substation grounding, as
established by the Technical Standards Committee “A”.
Spools 25 lb. spools of solid ground wire
C E R T I F I E D
www.commscope.com
Visit our web site or contact your local CommScope representative for more information.
© 2011 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved. 10.11
All trademarks identified by ® or ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of CommScope, Inc.
This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specifications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services.
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