Technical Brief

SCE Grounding Procedures

Aclara Power-Line Systems Inc.
Confidential and Proprietary
Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.
(Y20220-TEB Rev A, March 2009)
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Aclara. Aclara assumes
no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment that is not supplied by Aclara.
Information contained in this document is private to Aclara Power-Line Systems Inc., St. Louis, Missouri. This information may not be published,
reproduced, or otherwise disseminated without the express written authorization of Aclara.
Any software or firmware described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms
of such license.
PROPRIETARY NOTICE
DISCLAIMER
Y 20220- T EB Rev A i
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Required Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Control and Receiving Unit Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Main CRU Ground Lug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Torque Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CRU Door. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Torque Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Termination Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Torque Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Distribution Panel Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Torque Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
CRU Card Cage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Universal Modem Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Torque Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
RS-232 Surge Suppressor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Torque Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
OMU Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Torque Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
MTU Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Single-Phase Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Table of Contents
SCE Grounding Procedures Technical Brief
Y 20220- T EB Rev A 1
Overview
The unique nature of TWACS signaling requires a specific method of grounding
the Substation Communication Equipment (SCE). This Technical Brief illustrates
the correct method of grounding the SCE, and procedures to help the utility verify
their equipment is grounded correctly.
Support
If you have any questions about this procedure or any Aclara product or service,
please contact Aclara Customer Care:
Required Equipment
The procedures in this document utilize the following tools:
Digital Multi-Meter
Torque wrench (20 - 400 inch-lbs)
Email: care@aclara.com
Phone: 1-800-892-9008
Address: Aclara Power-Line Systems Inc.
945 Hornet Drive
Hazelwood, MO 63042
USA
2 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
Control and Receiving Unit Grounds
Control and Receiving Unit Grounds
The Control and Receiving Unit (CRU) must have a direct and dedicated
connection to the substation ground grid.
Main CRU Ground Lug
The main CRU ground lug is located inside the CRU on the lower left wall as
shown in Figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1 Main CRU ground lug location
Verify the main CRU ground lug is attached directly to the substation ground
grid and is not tied to either the Modulation Transformer Unit (MTU)
grounds or the Outbound Modulation Unit (OMU) ground. The CRU ground
lug must be connected to the ground grid using #4 - #8 AWG copper wire.
All of the CRU component grounds should be connected to the main CRU
ground lug.
3 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
Control and Receiving Unit Grounds
Figure 2.2 Main CRU ground lug
Torque Specifications
The hex nut on the main CRU ground stud should be tightened to 75 in-lbs.
The substation ground connection must be tightened to 50 in-lbs. for a pan
head screw or 75 in-lbs. for a set screw type lug.
4 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
Control and Receiving Unit Grounds
CRU Door
The CRU door ground is located behind the lower door hinge as shown in Figure
2.3. The CRU door ground should be connected directly to the main CRU ground
lug.
Make sure that the door of the CRU is connected to the main CRU ground
lug.
Using an ohmmeter, verify that the resistance between the CRU door ground
and the main CRU ground lug is close to zero.
Figure 2.3 CRU door ground
Torque Specification
The CRU door ground must be tightened to 75 in-lbs.
SCE Grounding Procedures Technical Brief
Y 20220- T EB Rev A 5
Termination Panel
The Termination Panel ground is located where the termination panels mount to
the back of the swing-frame door. See Figure 2.4.
Figure 2.4 HDTP ground
Ensure that the termination panel grounds are connected to the main CRU
ground lug.
Using an ohmmeter, verify that the resistance between the main CRU ground
lug and each termination panel ground is close to zero.
Torque Specification
The screws connecting the termination panel(s) to the swing-frame door must be
tightened to 25 in-lbs.
6 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
Control and Receiving Unit Grounds
Distribution Panel Assembly
The Distribution Panel Assembly (DPA) Ground is located at the back of the upper
portion of the CRU.
Figure 2.5 DPA terminal block
Aclara recommends that the CRU be powered by a 3 wire, 120 V service.
Verify that the main CRU ground lug is connected to the DPA terminal block.
Verify that the AC surge suppressor ground is connected to the ground on the
DPA terminal block.
Using an ohmmeter, check the resistance between the main CRU ground lug
and the AC surge suppressor ground (The green wire shown in Figure 2.5).
The resistance should be close to zero.
Torque Specification
The connections on the DPA must be tightened to 20 in-lbs.
SCE Grounding Procedures Technical Brief
Y 20220- T EB Rev A 7
CRU Card Cage
Figure 2.6 CRU Card Cage
Using a voltmeter, check for the presence of AC voltage at the main CRU
ground lug and any metal part on the front of the CRU card cage. No more
than 0.10 VAC should be present at these points.
Using a voltmeter, check for the presence of DC voltage at the main CRU
ground lug and any metal part on the front of the CRU card cage. No more
than 0.10 VDC should be present at these points.
Verify that the screws securing the cards to the CRU card cage are firmly
tightened.
8 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
Control and Receiving Unit Grounds
Universal Modem Assembly
The Universal Modem Assembly (UMA) rack is located in the top of the CRU.
Figure 2.7 Universal Modem Assembly grounds
Verify that the UMA rack is connected to the main CRU ground.
Using an ohmmeter, verify that the resistance between the universal modem
rack ground and the main CRU ground lug is close to zero.
Torque Specification
The ground connections on the UMA rack must be tightened to 20 in-lbs.
RS-232 Surge Suppressor
The RS-232 surge suppressor provides surge and fast transient protection for
RS-232 communication between the modem, radio, or ethernet communication
device and the CRU.
Verify that an RS-232 surge suppressor is present. If an RS-232 surge
suppressor is not present, please contact Aclara to obtain one.
Verify that the RS-232 surge suppressor is connected to a chassis ground
(either the universal modem rack or one of the mounting rails in the CRU).
Torque Specification
If grounding the RS-232 surge suppressor to one of the painted mounting rails in
the CRU, sand off the paint and use a #10-32 screw and clip nut. These should be
tightened to 25 in-lbs.
SCE Grounding Procedures Technical Brief
Y 20220- T EB Rev A 9
OMU Ground
The OMU must have a direct and dedicated connection to the substation ground
grid. The OMU ground lugs are located on the back side of the OMU as shown in
Figure 2.8.
Figure 2.8 OMU ground lugs location
10 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
OMU Ground
Figure 2.9 OMU ground lugs
Verify the main OMU ground lugs are attached directly to the substation
ground grid and are not tied to either the MTU ground or the CRU ground.
The OMU ground lugs must be connected to the ground grid using the same
gauge cable as the ground grid.
Torque Specifications
The OMU ground lugs must be tightened to 400 in-lbs. (33 ft.-lbs).
For all other OMU torque specifications, see the label affixed to the inside of
the OMU door.
SCE Grounding Procedures Technical Brief
Y 20220- T EB Rev A 11
MTU Grounds
Figure 2.10 MTU grounds
Verify that:
H0 (primary neutral) is connected directly to the substation ground grid with
the same gauge cable used for H1-H3.
H0 does not connect to any other ground.
X0 is connected directly to the Neutral Outbound Signaling Switch
Assembly (OSSA) inside the OMU and is not tied to any other ground.
Concentric neutrals (if present) are connected to a tank ground and are not
connected to H0.
Any factory installed ground straps between X0 and the tank ground and/or
between H0 and the tank ground have been removed.
12 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
MTU Grounds
Figure 2.11 MTU grounding overview
SCE Grounding Procedures Technical Brief
Y 20220- T EB Rev A 13
Single-Phase Transformers
The same basic grounding rules apply when using three single-phase transformers
in place of one three-phase transformer. See Figure 2.12.
The tank ground of each transformer must be connected to the substation
ground grid.
The CRU and OMU must have dedicated connections to the substation
ground grid.
All other tank grounds should be grounded to the nearest point on the
substation ground grid.
The H0 terminals of the three transformers may be tied together, and should
be connected directly to the system neutral.
The X0 terminal of each transformer must connect directly to the neutral
OSSA inside the OMU, and must not connect to any other ground.
If ground straps are used to connect X0 or H0 to a tank ground, they must be
removed.
Figure 2.12 Three single-phase transformers
14 Y 20220- T EB Rev A
Single-Phase Transformers
Figure 2.13 Single-phase transformer grounding overview