SAES-T-903 PDF - Outside Plant Electrical Protection and Grounding - PDFYAR

This article is about SAES-T-903 which is about Outside Plant Electrical Protection and Grounding and download SAES-T-903 PDF for telecommunication and electrical engineers, supervisors and project managers, telecom QCs, telecom QC Supervisors. This is saudi aramco standards of Telecommunication Engineering based on international codes and standards and useful for telecom and electronics engineering knowledge to get job as engineers, QC Supervisors and QC managers, Engineering managers and technicians.

SAES-T-903 PDF Download

SAES-T-903

SAES-T-903 PDF Download

Outside Plant Electrical Protection and Grounding

SAES-T-903 standard prescribes mandatory requirements for systems planning, designing, and engineering of electrical protection for various telecommunication infrastructure, including telecommunications outside plant, switching centers, central offices (CO), and other telecommunication equipment. The standard also covers the upgrading of existing facilities when a new cable is being placed.The standard aims to ensure that adequate electrical protection measures are implemented in the planning, design, and engineering of telecommunication systems. This includes protecting the infrastructure from external factors such as lightning, accidental contact with power lines, induced voltages from power lines, and ground potential rises. The standard provides guidelines and requirements to mitigate the risks associated with these factors and ensure the reliability and safety of telecommunication systems.

Industry Codes and Standards for SAES-T-903

The SAES-T-903 standard for electrical protection in telecommunications outside plant, switching centers, and other equipment references several industry codes and standards. These include:

Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI): BICSI is a professional association that provides standards and guidelines for the design and installation of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. Their Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual (TDMM) is referenced in SAES-T-903.
Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual (TDMM): Published by BICSI, the TDMM provides guidance on the design, installation, and maintenance of ICT infrastructure, including cabling systems, pathways, spaces, and grounding.
Outside Plant Design Reference Manual (OSPDRM): The OSPDRM is a comprehensive guide published by BICSI that covers the planning, design, and implementation of telecommunications outside plant infrastructure, including aerial, buried, and underground facilities.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI): ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for various industries. The SAES-T-903 standard references several ANSI standards, including: a) ANSI/NFPA 70: Also known as the National Electrical Code (NEC), this standard provides requirements for safe electrical installations, including wiring, equipment, and systems. b) ANSI C2: The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) is published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in partnership with ANSI. It provides guidelines for the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of electric supply and communication lines.
National Fire Codes (NFC): The NFC refers to a set of fire safety codes and standards, including those published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These codes address fire protection measures in various types of buildings and facilities.
Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL): UL is a globally recognized safety consulting and certification company. The SAES-T-903 standard references several UL standards related to protectors for communication circuits, including: a) UL 497: This standard covers protectors for paired conductor communication circuits. b) UL 497A: It focuses on secondary protectors for communication circuits. c) UL 497B: This standard addresses protectors for data communication and fire alarm circuits.

By referring to these industry codes and standards, SAES-T-903 ensures that the design and engineering of electrical protection in telecommunications infrastructure align with recognized best practices and safety requirements.

Design

The following are the mandatory requirements and modifications for outside plant protection as stated in Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-T-903:

5.1.1 General Protection Considerations:

Protection for telecommunication facilities at crossings and parallels of power lines over 20 kV phase-to-ground, within the Ground Potential Rise (GPR) zone of influence of power substations, shall be coordinated as specified by SAES-T-887.
All metallic loops in Saudi Aramco are considered exposed to lightning, except for on-premises extensions that are not exposed to 300 volts or more and are not extended to a separate building located more than 43 m (140 ft.) away.
Exposed telecommunication cable conductors entering buildings shall be protected with UL-listed protectors.
Vaults, pull boxes, or manholes should never be shared with a power system of any voltage.
Telecommunication facilities should not be grounded to a non-grounded power system.
Trenches should not be shared with a power cable having a phase-to-ground voltage of more than 20 kV.

5.1.2 Electrical Code Requirements:

Common grounding should be provided as required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 800, Section D – Grounding Method.
All telecommunications engineering design and construction should comply with NEC Article 800 and applicable sections in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).

5.1.3 Grounding Electrodes:

Power ground is the preferred ground electrode. If the power service is not located within 6 m (20 ft.) of the telephone station protector, the telecommunication protector should be relocated, or one of the following electrodes should be used:
a) Ground ring of #2 AWG (35 mm²) minimum copper conductor encircling the building at a minimum depth of 0.76 m (2.5 ft.).
b) Grounded metal frame of the building.
c) A 25-ohm or less ground electrode bonded to the power service ground.
Ground rods are only allowed to be used when no other ground medium is available.
If multiple ground rods are required to achieve 25 ohms, they must be greater than 1.8 m (6 ft.) apart and bonded together with a minimum of #6 AWG (16 mm²) bare tinned-copper ground wire.
Chemical treatments of the earth around ground electrodes are not allowed, but marl or concrete can be used to maintain moisture content.
Main electrodes should consist of a minimum of 2.44 m (8 ft.) ground rods, and if multiple rods are used, they should be bonded together with a minimum of #6 AWG (16 mm²) bare tinned-copper ground wire. The ground resistance should be 25 ohms or less.
Telecommunication ground rods should be bonded to foreign ground rods if located within 2 m (6 ft.) of each other.
Distribution cable terminals or pedestals should be located so that the drop or service wire can be run to the same side of the premises as the power service or to an adjacent side. The telecommunications ground should be bonded to the power ground. The total length of the ground and bond wire from the protector to the power service or building ground should not exceed 6.1 m (20 ft.).
All ground conductors placed inside or on buildings should be insulated according to NEC Article 800.40 (a)(1).

These requirements ensure proper protection and grounding of telecommunication facilities in accordance with recognized codes and standards.

FAQs about SAES-T-903 PDF Download

Q1: What is the preferred ground electrode for telecommunication protectors?

A1: The preferred ground electrode for telecommunication protectors is the power ground. If the power service is not located within 6 m (20 ft.) of the telephone station protector, alternative grounding options should be considered.

Q2: What are the alternative grounding options when the power service is not within proximity?

A2: The following electrodes can be used as alternatives: a) Ground ring: A #2 AWG (35 mm²) minimum copper conductor encircling the building at a depth of at least 0.76 m (2.5 ft.). b) Grounded metal frame: The grounded metal frame of the building. c) 25-ohm or less ground electrode: A ground electrode with a resistance of 25 ohms or less, bonded to the power service ground.

Q3: When are ground rods allowed to be used?

A3: Ground rods are allowed to be used only when no other ground medium is available.

Q4: What are the requirements for multiple ground rods?

A4: If multiple ground rods are required to achieve 25 ohms, they should be spaced greater than 1.8 m (6 ft.) apart and bonded together with a minimum of #6 AWG (16 mm²) bare tinned-copper ground wire.

Q5: Are chemical treatments allowed for the earth around ground electrodes?

A5: No, chemical treatments of the earth around ground electrodes are not allowed. However, marl or concrete can be used to maintain moisture content.

Q6: What are the requirements for main electrodes?

A6: Main electrodes should consist of a minimum of 2.44 m (8 ft.) ground rods. If multiple rods are used, they should be bonded together with a minimum of #6 AWG (16 mm²) bare tinned-copper ground wire. The ground resistance should be 25 ohms or less.

Q7: Should telecommunication ground rods be bonded to foreign ground rods?

A7: Yes, telecommunication ground rods should be bonded to foreign ground rods if they are located within 2 m (6 ft.) of each other.

SAES-T-903 PDF – Outside Plant Electrical Protection and Grounding

SAES-T-903 PDF Download

Outside Plant Electrical Protection and Grounding

Industry Codes and Standards for SAES-T-903

Design

FAQs about SAES-T-903 PDF Download

Q1: What is the preferred ground electrode for telecommunication protectors?

Q2: What are the alternative grounding options when the power service is not within proximity?

Q3: When are ground rods allowed to be used?

Q4: What are the requirements for multiple ground rods?

Q5: Are chemical treatments allowed for the earth around ground electrodes?

Q6: What are the requirements for main electrodes?

Q7: Should telecommunication ground rods be bonded to foreign ground rods?

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