PROJECT TYPE
Utility required appropriate grounding for a new substation including equipotential safety comprised of 4/0 ground grid at 24″ below grade was supplemented by a custom-made nVent ERICO 2′ x 4′ brazed mesh, covering 100% of the substation area.
CHALLENGE
The utility’s engineers typically use a mesh overlay in applications where they want assurance of a stiff ground grid to create a reliable equipotential surface. In this project, construction challenges required 20′ maximum width mesh bonded to the adjacent pieces of mesh, as well as bonding to the underlying 4/0 ground grid at regular intervals. Given the difference in conductor size and to ensure thorough bonding, connection to the underlying 4/0 grid was accomplished by unstranding the 4/0 ties so each strand could be individually connected to a different part of the overlying mesh using nVent ERICO Cadweld.
SOLUTION
Custom nVent ERICO Ground Mesh and nVent ERICO Cadweld
- 18,000 ft2 of nVent ERICO Ground Mesh with eight additional custom configurations made with 30% conductivity #6 Copperweld wire
- nVent ERICO Conductor Sleeves (B1331L)
- nVent ERICO Cadweld Graphite Molds (PGT1G1L, PGT1G1G)
- nVent ERICO Cadweld Plus Welding Material (32PLUSF20, 25PLUSF20)
BENEFITS
The team’s quick responses and technical customization support, paired with short manufacturing lead-time, helped avoid construction delays and met the customer’s goals. Using nVent ERICO Cadweld for connecting mat to mat and mat to 4/0 strands reduced supervision and inspection time compared to silver solder field brazing.
