Application of equipotential bonding and earthing in buildings with information technology equipment

This European Standard specifies minimum requirements for earthing networks and connections (bonds) in buildings in which information technology equipment is intended to be installed to protect that equipment and interconnecting cabling from electrical hazards. Additionally this European Standard specifies requirements and provides recommendations for earthing networks and connections (bonds) in order for the information technology installation to achieve a) reliable signal reference, b) adequate immunity from electromagnetic interference carried by the earthing network. The requirements of this European Standard are applicable to all types of buildings ranging from residential to large commercial and industrial premises. Operator buildings are addressed by ETSI EN 300 253. This European standard specifies an earthing and bonding configuration that is appropriate to specific mains and other power supply distribution systems.

Anwendung von Maßnahmen für Erdung und Potentialausgleich in Gebäuden mit Einrichtungen der Informationstechnik

Diese Europäische Norm legt die Mindestanforderungen an Erdernetze und Potentialausgleichs-verbindungen in Gebäuden fest, in denen Einrichtungen der Informationstechnik installiert werden, um Geräte und informationstechnische Verkabelung gegen elektrische Gefährdungen zu schützen. Zusätzlich legt diese Norm Anforderungen fest und gibt Empfehlungen für Netze für Erdung und Potentialausgleich, damit für die informationstechnische Installation folgenden Ziele erreicht werden a)   zuverlässige Signalbezugsebene, b)   durch das Erdernetz unterstützte zuverlässige Störfestigkeit gegen elektromagnetische Störungen. Die Anforderungen dieser Norm gelten für verschiedene Gebäudearten, angefangen von Wohnungen über Geschäftsgebäude bis hin zu industriell genutzten Standorten. Betriebsgebäude werden in ETSI EN 300 253 aufgeführt. Diese europäische Norm legt eine Anordnung von Erdung und Potentialausgleich fest, die für besondere Elektrizitätsversorgungsnetze und andere Stromversorgungsanlagen anwendbar ist. ANMERKUNG   In dieser Norm werden Potentialausgleichsanlagen an Erde angeschlossen und erzeugen folglich ein Erdernetz. Diese Norm: 1)   ist nicht anwendbar für Stromverteilungen mit Spannungen über AC 1 000 V; 2)   führt nicht die besonderen Anforderungen an Betriebsgebäude der Telekommunikationstechnik (Betriebsgebäude) auf; diese sind in EN 300253 enthalten. Sicherheitsanforderungen an die Stromversorgungsanlage liegen außerhalb des Anwendungsbereiches dieser Europäischen Norm und werden in anderen Normen und Bestimmungen festgelegt. Jedoch können die in dieser Europäischen Norm aufgeführten Informationen dazu beitragen, diese Normen und Bestimmungen einzuhalten.

Application de liaison équipotentielle et de la mise à la terre dans les locaux avec équipement de technologie de l'information

La présente Norme Européenne spécifie les exigences minimales pour les réseaux et les connexions de mise à la terre (liaisons équipotentielles) dans les bâtiments dans lesquels des équipements des technologies de l’information sont destinés à être installés pour protéger ces équipements ainsi que les câblages d’interconnexion des dangers d’origine électrique. De plus, la présente Norme Européenne spécifie des exigences et fournit des recommandations pour les réseaux et les connexions de mise à la terre (liaison équipotentielles) pour que l’installation d’équipements des technologies de l’information atteigne a)   une référence fiable pour les signaux, b)   une immunité appropriée par rapport aux interférences électromagnétiques transmises par le réseau de mise à la terre. Les exigences de la présente Norme Européenne sont applicables à tous les types de bâtiments, allant des bâtiments à usage d’habitation aux grands bâtiments à usage commercial et aux établissements industriels. Les bâtiments des opérateurs sont couverts par la norme ETSI EN 300 253. La présente Norme Européenne spécifie une configuration de mise à la terre et de liaison équipotentielle qui est appropriée à des réseaux d’alimentation électrique spécifiques et à d’autres réseaux de distribution d’énergie. NOTE   Pour les besoins de la présente Norme Européenne, les réseaux équipotentiels sont reliés à la terre et créent ainsi un réseau de mise à la terre. La présente Norme Européenne : 1)   ne s’applique pas à la distribution d’énergie électrique à des tensions supérieures à 1 000 V en courant alternatif; 2)   ne couvre pas les exigences spécifiques aux centres de télécommunication (bâtiments d’opérateurs) ; celles-ci sont spécifiées dans la norme ETSI EN 300 253. Les exigences de sécurité pour les installations d’alimentation en énergie ne font pas partie du domaine d’application de la présente Norme Européenne et sont couvertes par d’autres normes et réglementations. Toutefois, certaines informations données dans la présente Norme Européenne peuvent être utiles pour satisfaire à ces normes et réglementations.

Izenačitev potencialov in ozemljevanje v stavbah z opremo informacijske tehnologije

Ta evropski standard določa minimalne zahteve za ozemljevanje omrežij in povezav (vezi) v stavbah, v katerih je oprema informacijske tehnologije namenjena namestitvi za varovanje te opreme in medsebojno povezanega okabljenja pred električnimi nevarnostmi. Poleg tega ta evropski standard določa zahteve in podaja priporočila za ozemljevanje omrežij in povezav (vezi) z namenom, da se z namestitvijo informacijske tehnologije doseže a) zanesljiva signalna referenca, b) zadostna odpornost pred elektromagnetnim motenjem, ki ga izvaja ozemljitveno omrežje. Zahteve tega evropskega standarda veljajo za vse vrste stavb, ki segajo od stanovanjskih do velikih poslovnih in industrijskih prostorov. Stavbe operaterjev obravnava ETSI EN 300 253. Ta evropski standard določa konfiguracijo ozemljevanja in vezenja, ki je primerna za posebne glavne vode in druge sisteme oskrbe z napajanjem.

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Public Enquiry End Date
29-Sep-2009
Publication Date
08-Nov-2010
Withdrawal Date
28-Feb-2019
Current Stage
9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
Start Date
28-Feb-2019
Due Date
23-Mar-2019
Completion Date
01-Mar-2019

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 50310:2011
01-januar-2011
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 50310:2006
,]HQDþLWHYSRWHQFLDORYLQR]HPOMHYDQMHYVWDYEDK]RSUHPRLQIRUPDFLMVNH
WHKQRORJLMH
Application of equipotential bonding and earthing in buildings with information technology
equipment
Anwendung von Maßnahmen für Erdung und Potentialausgleich in Gebäuden mit
Einrichtungen der Informationstechnik
Application de liaison équipotentielle et de la mise à la terre dans les locaux avec
équipement de technologie de l'information
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50310:2010
ICS:
35.020 Informacijska tehnika in Information technology (IT) in
tehnologija na splošno general
91.140.50 Sistemi za oskrbo z elektriko Electricity supply systems
SIST EN 50310:2011 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50310

NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2010
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 29.120.50; 91.140.50 Supersedes EN 50310:2006


English version


Application of equipotential bonding and earthing in buildings with
information technology equipment



Application de liaison équipotentielle et de Anwendung von Maßnahmen für Erdung
la mise à la terre dans les locaux avec und Potentialausgleich in Gebäuden mit
équipement de technologie de Einrichtungen der Informationstechnik
l'information





This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2010-10-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels


© 2010 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50310:2010 E

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011
EN 50310:2010 – 2 –
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 215,
Electrotechnical aspects of telecommunication equipment. The text of the draft was submitted to the
formal vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 50310 on 2010-10-01.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented

at national level by publication of an identical

national standard or by endorsement
(dop) 2011-10-01

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting

with the EN have to be withdrawn
(dow) 2013-10-01
This European Standard supersedes EN 50310:2006.
In the course of the revision of EN 50310:2006, some elements from EN 50174-2:2000 have been
moved to this European Standard for reasons of clarity.
This European Standard has been produced within the framework of the following considerations.
a) With the ongoing growth of the liberalised telecommunication market, the increasing advent of
private telecommunication network operators, and the flourishing use of networking computers,
the amount of Information Technology equipment installed in buildings and the complexity of
these Information Technology installations are permanently growing.
b) Information Technology equipment is generally installed either as stand-alone equipment (e.g.
personal or network computers, small PBXs), or held in racks, cabinets or other mechanical
structures (e.g. switching systems, transmission systems, mobile base stations).
c) CENELEC/SC 64B „Electrical installations and protection against electric shock – Protection
against thermal effects“ had decided during their meeting in November 1997 not to harmonize
IEC 60364-5-548:1996 “Electrical installations of buildings – Part 5: Selection and erection of
electrical equipment – Section 548: Earthing arrangements and equipotential bonding for
information technology installations”.
d) This European Standard shall give guidance to network operators, equipment providers and
building owners to agree on a standardised bonding configuration that facilitates
– compliance of the Information Technology Equipment installation with functional
requirements including Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) aspects of emission and
immunity,
– compatible building installation and equipment provisions,
– installation of new equipment in buildings as well as expansion or replacement of
installations in existing buildings with equipment coming from different suppliers,
– a structured installation practice,
– simple maintenance rules,
– contracting on a common basis,
– harmonisation in development, manufacturing, installation and operation.

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011
– 3 – EN 50310:2010
Contents
Introduction . 5
1 Scope and conformance . 8
1.1 Scope . 8
1.2 Conformance . 8
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviations and symbols . 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Abbreviations .11
3.3 Symbols .11
4 General requirements .12
4.1 Co-ordination .12
4.2 Safety from electrical hazards .12
4.3 Segregation between information technology cabling and power supply cabling .12
4.4 Main earthing terminal (MET) .12
4.5 Signal reference .12
5 Application of earthing networks .12
5.1 General .12
5.2 Requirements and recommendations .13
5.3 Hierarchy of earthing network performance .13
6 Earthing networks.17
6.1 General .17
6.2 Star earthing networks .20
6.3 Ring earthing networks .21
6.4 Local mesh earthing networks .21
6.5 Meshed earthing networks .23
6.6 SRPP .25
7 Bonding .25
7.1 Equipotential bonding conductors .25
7.2 System Reference Potential Plane (SRPP) .28
7.3 Corrosion .30
8 DC power distribution systems .30
8.1 DC distribution system of secondary supply .30
8.2 DC distribution system of tertiary supply .31
9 Power supply distribution systems .32
Annex A (informative) Rationale about common bonding network (CBN) co-ordination .33
Annex B (informative) Rationale for the integration of DC distribution systems into the
merging of common bonding network (CBN) and meshed bonding network (MESH-BN) .34
Bibliography .35

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011
EN 50310:2010 – 4 –
Figures
Figure 1 – Schematic relationship between EN 50310 and other relevant standards . 6
Figure 2 – Examples of earthing networks .15
Figure 3 – Examples of area-specific earthing networks within premises .16
Figure 4 – Example of a simple common bonding network (CBN) configuration (installation of
network termination) .17
Figure 5 – Example of a common bonding network (CBN) configuration for an information
technology installation inside a building .18
Figure 6 – Example of an improved bonding network (CBN/MESH-BN) installation inside a building .19
Figure 7 – Example of high common impedance and large loop .20
Figure 8 – Example of low common impedance and small loop .21
Figure 9 – Local mesh earthing network .22
Figure 10 – Mesh earthing network (multi-floor).24
Figure 11 – Mesh-BN example .26
Figure 12 – Example of bonding straps .27
Figure 13 – Example of raised floor .29
Figure 14 – Example of installation details for an under floor transient suppression plate .29

Tables
Table 1 – Contextual relationship between EN 50310 and other relevant standards . 7
Table 2 – Survey of DC electricity distribution system configurations with respect to EMC .31
Table 3 – Survey of AC electricity distribution system configurations with respect to EMC .32

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011
– 5 – EN 50310:2010
Introduction
This European Standard specifies requirements and recommendations for connections (bonds) to
earthing networks in buildings in which information technology (IT) equipment is intended to be
installed in order to:
a) minimise the risk to that equipment and interconnecting cabling from electrical hazards,
b) provide the information technology installation with:
– a reliable signal reference;
– adequate immunity from electromagnetic interference carried by the earthing network.
Different minimum requirements are specified depending on the intended use of the building with
regard to information technology.
The requirements of this European Standard are applicable when information technology cabling
installations are planned (including, for example, during the refurbishment of buildings).
This document is intended for:
1) building architects, owners and managers;
2) designers and installers of electrical and information technology cabling installations.
Figure 1 and Table 1 show the schematic and contextual relationships between the standards
produced by TC 215 for information technology cabling, namely:
• installation specification, quality assurance, planning and installation practices (EN 50174 series);
• generic cabling design (EN 50173 series);
• application dependent cabling design (e.g. EN 50098 series);
• testing of installed cabling (EN 50346);
• this European Standard (EN 50310).

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011
EN 50310:2010 – 6 –

EENN 50 5009098-8-1:1: Cus Custtomeomerr p prremiemisseses EENN 5 50170173-3-2:2: IInnffoorrmmatatiioonn t teecchhnnoollooggyy::
ccablabliinng fg foorr i innffoorrmmatatiioon tn teecchnolhnolooggyy - - GGeenneericric ccaabblinlingg - - OOfffficicee p prreemmisiseess
IISSDDNN b baasic asic acccceessss
EENN 5 50170173-3-3:3: IInnffoorrmmatatiioon tn teecchhnnoollooggyy::
EENN 5 50090098-8-2:2: CCuussttoommeerr p prremiemisseses GGeenneericric ccaabblinlingg - - IInndduussttrriaial pl prreemmisiseess
ENEN 5 500117733--1:1: I Innffoorrmmatatiioon tn teecchhnolnolooggyy::
ccablabliinng fg foorr i innffoorrmmatatiion on tteecchnolhnolooggyy --
ENEN 5 5001173-73-4:4: I Innffoorrmmatatiioon tn teecchhnnoollooggyy:: GGeenerneriicc c cablabliinng -g - GGenenereralal r reeqquuiirreemmententss
20204848 kkbbiitt//ss IISSDDNN p prriimmararyy aacccceessss an and d
GGeenerneriicc c caablbliinng -g - HHomesomes
lleeasaseded l liinnee ne nettwwoorrkk i inntteerrffacacee
ENEN 5015017373--55:: I Innffoorrmmatatiioon tn teecchhnolnolooggyy::
GGeenerneriicc c cablabliinng -g - DDatataa c cententrreess
EENN 50 5017174-4-1:1: I Innffoorrmmaattiioonn t teecchnohnollooggyy – – EENN 50 50310310:: Appl Appliiccatatiion on ofof equ equiippototententiiaall
bonbondidinngg a and nd eareartthhiinngg iinn bu buiillddiingsngs wi witthh
CCaabblliningg in inssttaalllalattiioonn – – IInnssttaallllaattioionn
iinnffoorrmmatatiioon tn teecchnolhnolooggyy eq equiuipmpmeenntt
sspecpeciiffiiccatatiioon an and qund qualaliittyy a assssuurraannccee
EENN 5 50170174-4-2:2: IInnffoorrmmatatiioonn t teecchhnnoollooggyy - -
CablCabliinngg i innssttaallllaattiion on -- IInsnsttaallllatatiioon n
ppllananningning an and pd prraaccttiicceess i innssiidede bu buiillddiinnggss
EENN 5 50170174-4-3:3: IInnffoorrmmatatiioonn t teecchhnnoollooggyy - -
CablCabliinngg i innssttaallllaattiion on -- IInsnsttaallllatatiioon n
plplaannnniinngg a anndd pr pracacttiicceess o ouuttssiide de buibuillddiinngsgs
ENEN 50 50346346:: IInnffoorrmmaattiion ton teecchhnnoollooggyy --
CaCablbliinng ig innssttalalllaattiioonn - -
TTeessttiinngg o off in inssttaallelledd c caabblinlingg

Figure 1 – Schematic relationship between EN 50310 and other relevant standards

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011
– 7 – EN 50310:2010
Table 1 – Contextual relationship between EN 50310 and other relevant standards
Building design Generic cabling Specification Installation Operation
phase design phase phase phase phase
EN 50310 EN 50173 series EN 50174-1 EN 50174-1
except
EN 50173-4
6 Earthing 4 Structure 4 Requirements for 4 Requirements for
networks specifying specifying
5 Channel
installations of installations of
performance
information information
7 Cable
technology technology
requirements cabling cabling
8 Connecting 5 Requirements for
hardware
installers of
requirements information
technology
9 Requirements for
cabling
cords and
jumpers
A Link performance
limits
 Planning
phase
and
EN 50173-4 EN 50174-2 EN 50174-2
4 and 5 Structure 4 Requirements for 5 Requirements for
planning the installation of
6 Channel
installations of information
performance
information technology
8 Cable technology cabling
requirements cabling
6 Segregation of
9 Connecting
6 Segregation of metallic
hardware metallic information
requirements information technology
technology cabling and
10Requirements for
cabling and mains power
cords and
mains power cabling
jumpers
cabling
A Link performance
7 Electricity
limits
distribution
systems and
lightning
protection
 and and
EN 50174-3 EN 50174-3
 and and
(for equipotential (for equipotential
bonding) bonding)
EN 50310 EN 50310
  and
EN 50346
  4 General
requirements
5 Test parameters
for balanced
cabling
6 Test parameters
for optical fibre
cabling

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SIST EN 50310:2011
EN 50310:2010 – 8 –
1 Scope and conformance
1.1 Scope
This European Standard specifies minimum requirements for earthing networks and connections
(bonds) in buildings in which information technology equipment is intended to be installed to protect
that equipment and interconnecting cabling from electrical hazards.
Additionally this European Standard specifies requirements and provides recommendations for
earthing networks and connections (bonds) in order for the information technology installation to
achieve
a) reliable signal reference,
b) adequate immunity from electromagnetic interference carried by the earthing network.
The requirements of this European Standard are applicable to all types of buildings ranging from
residential to large commercial and industrial premises. Operator buildings are addressed by
ETSI EN 300 253.
This European standard specifies an earthing and bonding configuration that is appropriate to specific
mains and other power supply distribution systems.
NOTE For the purposes of this European Standard bonding networks are connected to earth and therefore create an earthing
network.
This European Standard does not:
1) apply to power supply distribution of voltages over AC 1 000 V;
2) address the specific requirements for telecommunication centres (operator buildings); these are
specified in ETSI EN 300 253.
Safety requirements for power supply installation are outside the scope of this European Standard and
are covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this European
Standard may be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations.
1.2 Conformance
In order to conform to this European Standard:
a) the general requirements of Clause 4 shall be met;
b) earthing and bonding networks shall meet the requirements of Clause 5;
c) bonding connections shall meet the requirements of Clause 7;
d) the mains and other power supply distribution systems shall meet the requirements of Clause 8;
e) the installation of information technology cabling shall be in accordance with the EN 50174 series;
f) local regulations, including safety, shall be met.

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SIST EN 50310:2011
– 9 – EN 50310:2010
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 41003, Particular safety requirements for equipment to be connected to telecommunication
networks and/or a cable distribution system
1)
EN 50083 series , Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services
EN 50162:2004, Protection against corrosion by stray current from direct current systems
EN 50174-1, Information technology – Cabling installation – Part 1: Installation specification and
quality assurance
EN 50174-2, Information technology – Cabling installation – Part 2: Installation planning and practices
inside buildings
EN 50174-3, Information technology – Cabling installation – Part 3: Installation planning and practices
outside buildings
EN 60079-14, Explosive atmospheres – Part 14: Electrical installations design, selection and erection
(IEC 60079-14)
EN 60728 series, Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services
(IEC 60728 series)
EN 60950-1, Information technology equipment – Safety – Part 1: General requirements
(IEC 60950-1, mod.)
EN 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and equipment
(IEC 61140)
EN 62305-4, Protection against lightning – Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within structures
(IEC 62305-4)
HD 60364-4-41, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-41: Protection for safety – Protection
against electric shock (IEC 60364-4-41:2005, mod.)
HD 60364-4-444, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-444: Protection for safety – Protection
against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances (IEC 60364-4-44:2007, mod.)
HD 60364-5-54:2007, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 5-54: Selection and erection of
electrical equipment – Earthing arrangements, protective conductors and protective bonding
conductors (IEC 60364-5-54:2002, mod.)
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviations and symbols
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1.1
bond
connection to provide equipotential between objects
———————
1)
Being partly replaced by EN 60728 series.

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SIST EN 50310:2011
EN 50310:2010 – 10 –
3.1.2
bonding network
BN
set of interconnected conductive structures that provide equipotential
3.1.3
bonding ring conductor
earthing bus conductor which forms a closed conducting ring
NOTE Normally the bonding ring conductor, as part of the bonding network, has multiple connections to the common bonding
network that improves its performance.
3.1.4
common bonding network
CBN
means for effective bonding and earthing inside a telecommunication building
3.1.5
earthing network
bonding network that is connected to earth
3.1.6
isolated bonding network
IBN
bonding network that has a single point of connection to either the common bonding network or
another isolated bonding network
NOTE All IBNs considered here will have a connection to earth through the single point of connection.
3.1.7
meshed bonding network
MESH-BN
bonding network in which all associated equipment frames, racks and cabinets and usually the DC
power return conductor, are bonded together as well as at multiple points to the CBN
NOTE Consequently, the MESH-BN augments the CBN.
[ETSI EN 300 253:2002, 3.1.2, mod.]
3.1.8
meshed isolated bonding network
MESH-IBN
meshed bonding network that has a single point of connection to either the common bonding network
or another isolated bonding network
3.1.9
mesh size
maximum length of conducting material between two adjacent connection points that create the grid of
the bonding network
3.1.10
system block
functional group of equipment depending in its operation and performance on its connection to the
same system reference potential plane, inherent to a MESH-BN
[ETSI EN 300 253:2002, 3.1.2]

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SIST EN 50310:2011
– 11 – EN 50310:2010
3.1.11
system reference potential plane
SRPP
conductive solid plane, as an ideal goal in potential equalizing, is approached in practice by horizontal
or vertical meshes
NOTE 1 The mesh width thereof is adapted of the frequency range to be considered. Horizontal and vertical meshes may be
interconnected to form a grid structure approximating to a Faraday cage.
NOTE 2 The SRPP facilities signalling with reference to a common potential.
[ETSI EN 300 253:2002, 3.1.2]
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the following abbreviations apply.
3L Three-phase live power supply conductor
AC Alternating Current
BN (Earthing) Bonding Network
CATV Community Antenna TeleVision
CBN Common Bonding Network
d.c., DC Direct Current
EMC ElectroMagnetic Compatibility
EMI ElectroMagnetic Interference
IBN Isolated Bonding Network
IT Information Technology
L Live power supply conductor
LPS Lightning Protection System
MESH-BN Meshed Bonding Network
MESH-IBN Meshed Isolated Bonding Network
MET Main Earthing Terminal, bar or busbar
N Neutral power supply conductor
PE Protective Earth conductor
SRPP System Reference Potential Plane
TSP Transient Suppression Plate
3.3 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the following symbols apply.
Bonding connection

Neutral conductor (N)

Protective earth conductor (PE)

---------------------- Page: 13 ----------------------

SIST EN 50310:2011
EN 50310:2010 – 12 –
4 General requirements
4.1 Co-ordination
The basic purposes of earthing networks in relation to information technology equipment are:
a) safety: touch voltage limitation and earth fault return path;
b) electromagnetic interference (EMI): a single potential reference and voltage equalisation,
screening effect.
The design of earthing networks for information technology infrastructures inside and between
buildings shall be co-ordinated with all parties directly involved in the management of safety and EMI
(e.g. power supply, CATV, railways, tramways, lightning protection, etc).
4.2 Safety from electrical hazards
Equipment attached to information technology (IT) cabling shall be in accordance with EN 60950-1 or
EN 41003, as appropriate. The installation of protective earth conductors (PE) and equipotential
bonding conductors shall be in accordance with HD 60364-4-41, HD 60364-5-54 and EN 61140
(requirements for installations in buildings).
4.3 Segregation between information technology cabling and power supply cabling
See EN 50174-2.
4.4 Main earthing terminal (MET)
Each building shall be provided with a designated MET.
The entrance facilities for metallic information technology cables shall be placed as close as possible
to either the MET or designated points providing connections to the MET.
In order to minimize surge voltages and effects of surge currents in the building, the screens of all
cables entering the building shall be bonded to the MET via a low-impedance path, i.e. by the shortest
possible connection (see Figure 4, 5 and 6).
4.5 Signal reference
In order to maintain a good signal reference, emphasis should be placed on proper equipotential
bonding of both the information technology and the electricity distribution systems. Signalling via earth
return shall be avoided.
5 Application of earthing networks
5.1 General
This European Standard specifies requirements for earthing and bonding networks for all buildings
intended to accommodate information technology equipment within which it is recognised that:
a) stray currents inevitably propagate in an earthing network;
b) it is impossible to remove all sources of disturbances at a site;
c) ground loops are inevitable (see 6.2.2);

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d) when an external magnetic field affects the site, e.g. a field produced by lightning, potential
differences are induced in the loops and currents flow in the earthing system and the efficacy of
the earthing network inside a building depends largely on the countermeasures taken outside the
building;
e) currents f
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