Present and future communication equipment grounding topologies

The authors discuss the principles underlying the grounding architectures of communication systems installed according to different national standards and operating company practices. They identify some trends in the evolution of grounding system topologies. At present, the grounding topologies of communication systems vary in different countries and according to various operating company practices. A reasonable approach to fit existing equipment into one of the grounding topologies is to divide communication equipment and systems into groups with similar characteristics and grounding requirements. Within a particular group, the grounding system topology can be optimized so that the communication system can be installed in any grounding environment without substantial changes or redesign.<>