2006 Hyground Ref.

Guide

Standards
and Codes
NEC Article 250,
Section 250-81

It shall be permitted to splice the

grounding electrode conductor by means
of irreversible compression-type
connectors listed for the purpose or
by the exothermic welding process.

The BURNDY HYGROUND compression

system also meets or exceeds the
grounding standards set by all of the
electrical industrys overseeing bodies:

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3:13 PM

Page 1

BURNDY HYGROUND vs. Exothermic Welding

Less equipment. No more than four to seven
tools and accessories are required to make an
average grid installation.

More equipment. Multiple tools and

accessories are required to make an average
grid installation.

Range-taking. Accommodate a broad range

of conductor sizes and configurations that
significantly reduce the number of installation
components required.

Non-range-taking. Each application requires a

different mold and appropriate accessories for
each conductor combination and configuration.

If you would like to contact one of the BURNDY HYGROUND users noted in this section, please call our Marketing
Department at 1-800-346-4175 and well put you in touch.

Telecommunications
The booming wireless industry is
a perfect candidate for the BURNDY
HYGROUND system. With experts
predicting that wireless base stations
will dot the landscape at the rate of
one every six miles, HYGROUND
offers the only grounding system
that installs quickly and
easily, regardless of the
weather. Traditional
phone companies have
been HYGROUND
users for many years.

Compatible. Since some competitors connectors, tools, and die designs are based on the
HYGROUND system, compatibilities do exist in
certain areas.

System Standards

National Fire Protection Association

Minimal space limitations. The rotatable-head

feature on some BURNDY compression tool
models further reduces any possible space
constraints.

Severe space restrictions. Making

exothermic connections in confined spaces is
severely limited because of mold size and
clamp restrictions.

Longer shelf life. Simple storage precautions

maintain functional performance for prolonged
periods.

Shelf life/storage issues. Shelf life of exothermic powder and molds is potentially very
short. Dampness and moisture can adversely
affect the performance of the powder and
molds by hindering the ignition sequence.

National Electrical Code

NFPA 780-92 Lightning Protection Code
NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety
Requirements for Employee Workplaces

Institute of Electrical
Electronics Engineers
IEEE 80-86 Guide for Safety in
Substation Grounding (Worldwide)
IEEE 142-921 Grounding of Industrial
and Commercial Power Systems
IEEE 1100-92 Powering and Grounding
Sensitive Electronic Equipment
T1E1 (U.S., Canada) T1E1-37
Grounding and Bonding of Network
Telecommunications Equipment

Federal Government
FAA 019B-85 Airport Grounding
Occupational Safety Hazard Association

Underwriters Laboratories
UL-96A Installation Requirements
for LP Systems

Performance Standards
IEEE Standard 837-89 Standard for
Qualifying Permanent Connections
Used in Substation Grounding
UL-467 and CSA C22.2 No. 41
Grounding and Bonding Equipment
UL-96 Standard for Connectors for
Lightning Protection

Durable. Strip sealing of connectors and

the heavy-duty tool construction add further
protection to BURNDYs compression system.

Handle with care. Graphite molds are fragile

and require care in handling.

Tool life. BURNDYs quick-charge batteries

provide peace of mind in remote areas, and
its tools have been life-cycle tested to over
100,000 cycles without failure.

Mold life. The weld reaction process and

normal handling cause the mold openings and
mating surfaces to wear and break, rendering
the mold inoperative, normal life expectancy is
50 to 75 connections per mold.

Safety. Making a compression connection

using the BURNDY HYGROUND system is an
inherently safe process. There are no
potentially hazardous by-products, and
permits use in any location.

Safety. Making an exothermic connection

requires adherence to strict installation
procedures, including fire safety. This may
restrict the use of where equipment can be
used.

Weather or not. HYGROUND connections

may be made even in wet and other inclement
conditions.

Weather restrictions. Exothermic connections

can be made under dry conditions only.

Inspection. HYGROUND compression

connections can be easily inspected
dimensionally and visually with conclusive
results.

Inspection. It is very difficult to properly field

inspect an exothermic welded connection.

Installation. Connections can be made

even in the most severe site and/or weather
conditions to keep jobs on schedule and
man-hours to a minimum.
Costs. User-friendly, all-weather installation
cuts labor costs significantly.

BURNDY HYGROUND Quick Reference Guide

Application/Users

Architectural and
Construction Engineers
An easy call to make
Your base station
construction wont face
any delays with BURNDY
HYGROUND the only
grounding system that
installs quickly and easily,
regardless of the weather.

Consultant engineering firms

the specifiers appreciate the
benefits of having a sound, proven
grounding system thats easy to
install. Including BURNDY
HYGROUND on your standards will
save on labor costs and job-site
injuries and reduces the chance of
work delays. BURNDYs available
D.X.F. files are importable into
AutoCad 10 or higher for easy
drafting, drawing,
and specification writing.

Army Corps of Engineers

While the Army Corps of Engineers
has not adopted one central standard
for below-grade grounding, BURNDY
HYGROUND has been included in
several major projects of the Armed
Forces and is also approved for use
by other federal agencies including
the FAA and OSHA.

Mass Transit
With the modernization and electrification of the nations railroads
underway and the unstable cost of
oil, BURNDY HYGROUND is proud to
be playing a role in the revitalization
of this industry.

Utilities
Much of the success of BURNDY
HYGROUND can be attributed to the
many utility companies that have
installed the system for a number
of applications. While grounding is
important in any industry, the utility
industry is especially susceptible
to fault currents and may have the
most at risk in terms of the services it
provides to the public. BURNDY
HYGROUND connectors meet and
exceed all industry specifications for
system standards and performance.

International Firms
Many international firms are having
difficulty in obtaining export and
import licenses for exothermic
material. Current world conditions are
forcing some governments to consider
exothermic powder an explosive.
Care and shipment of this material
are other problems, as is proper
training for overseas installers. None
of these inherent problems exist with
BURNDY HYGROUND materials.

REA Utilities
The Rural Electrification Association
(REA) represents more than 1,000
rural electric systems that own and
maintain nearly half of the nations
poles and powerlines, and many
are protected by BURNDY
HYGROUND. BURNDY has obtained
REA listing for its YGL HYGRID
cross-grid connector to meet the
requirements of this market.

Distributors
Unlike exothermic materials, distributors can stock BURNDY
HYGROUND connectors without fear
of any safety issues or fear of any
inventoried product becoming damp
and inoperable. By stocking relatively
few HYGROUND items, a distributor
can easily service the majority of enduser requirements. And BURNDYs
customer service and sales
departments are well regarded within
the industry.

Petrochemical Plants
At petrochemical plants, safety is a
primary concern. Proper grounding is
a large part of safety as managers
look to protect their people, plants,
and equipment. Your facility can
realize huge cost savings and
great peace of mind by using the
BURNDY HYGROUND compression
system that can be safely installed in
areas containing hazardous chemicals
or gases.

47 East Industrial Park Drive, Manchester, NH 03108

Installation. A typical exothermic installation
takes fives times longer than a comparable
BURNDY HYGROUND installation. Poor
weather will further delay the job by days
not hours.
Costs. In most cases, high labor costs far
outrun any material savings that may have
been realized.

In the U.S. call: 1-800-346-4175

International: 1-603-647-5000
Ontario, Atlantic & Western Canada:

1-800-361-6975
Quebec & Eastern Ontario:

1-800-361-6975

www.fciconnect.com

2006 Hyground Ref. Guide

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Page 2

BURNDY HYGROUND is looking for contractors and engineers who want to make themselves and their
companies more competitive and attractive to customers through increased work efficiencies, better
attention to safety, and greater cost awareness.

Sample BURNDY HYGROUND Compression Connector Grid

chemicals,
safety is
our greatest

Meets Code Requirements!

Standards and Codes

E
H

NEC Article 250, Section 250-81

The time savings

It shall be permitted to splice the grounding electrode conductor by means of irreversible compression-type

in installing

connectors listed for the purpose or by the exothermic welding process.

Features and Benefits

BURNDY

HYGROUND was

concern and
thats why we
use BURNDY
HYGROUND.
John Reed
ChemCentral/
Chicago
Bedford Park, IL

Benefit Key
Safety
Performance
Cost savings

Photo to
come

L
I

of industrial

After a compression connection has

been made, the embossed and factorystamped die numbers should match
exactly as noted here. This confirms
that the correct die was used to make
the grounding connection.

The connector identification

letters, including conductor
ranges and required
installation die.

Its these individuals who are primed to become users of the BURNDY HYGROUND compression grounding
system. Our unique system of cross-grid, tap, splice, cable to ground rod, ground plate, and termination
connections is the safest, most cost-effective, and most time-efficient grounding method available today.
Add in its corrosion-resistant properties and inspectability and you have a grounding system that is
unmatched in its performance, durability, and ease of use.

As a distributor

Inspectability

a big factor in
All HYGROUND compression connectors
conform to all applicable sections of the
NEC as well as UL-467.

Heavy-duty connector design carries

the equivalent or greater current-carrying
capacity of the conductor.

INo drilling, tapping, or welding required

for connections to most structural steel for
safer installation and lower labor costs.

All HYGROUND compression connectors

meet IEEE Standard 837 requirements.

All compression elements are strip sealed

to keep all contact surfaces clean.

Each connector is clearly marked for easy

and accurate identification.

Range-taking tool and die design

minimize inventory and provide for
multiple connector combinations that
are consistent and reliable.

Most compression elements are prefilled with our exclusive PENETROX

compound to inhibit moisture and
contaminants.

Precrimp dies for ground rod connectors

add mechanical strength to help the
connectors withstand power installation
and maintain IEEE and UL performance.

Requires no special training or complicated tooling for easy installation.

our changing

BURNDY HYGROUND is the safest, most cost-effective, timeefficient, and easily inspected grounding system available today.
A BURNDY HYGROUND compression connection can be made
in three minutes, or about one-half the time of a similar exothermic
connection.

Crimping embosses the die index number

on the connector, confirming consistent
connections and providing for easy
inspectability.

The efficiency and consistency of installing a BURNDY

HYGROUND compression grid translates to tremendous labor
savings. And unlike exothermic connections, compression connections can be easily removed and replaced for even greater timesaving opportunities.

Each connection can be made in less

than three minutes.
All compression elements made of pure
wrought copper the same material as
the conductor.

Compression connections can be

installed in all kinds of weather for better
job scheduling.

Time savings
Inspectability

as well as the
safety concerns.

Leave your hammer at home.

Safe and easy to install

Inspection ports are provided in terminal

and splice connectors to ensure proper
insertion of the conductor for increased
quality assurance.

from exothermic,

Embossed number shows that

the output force used to make the
compression connection was correct.

With BURNDY HYGROUND you can keep your entire job-site work
on schedule as compression connections can be made in even the
most inclement weather conditions rain, wind, or snow.

BURNDY Compression Tools

HYPRESS Hydraulic Tool (Y750BH)
HYPRESS Remote-Operated Hydraulic Tool (Y46)
BURNDY PATRIOT (PAT750XT)
Y-DC Series Battery-Powered Hydraulic Pump (Y700DC-1B)
EPP Series Electric/Hydraulic Pump (EPP10)

BURNDYs

The inspectability of completed grounding connections is of great concern within the electrical
community. A growing number of industries are demanding a higher degree of traceability to
confirm the quality of an installation. This is another solid example of why the BURNDY HYGROUND
compression grounding system is the clear choice.

reusable tools and

When a BURNDY HYGROUND tool and die combination makes a compression connection, it also
embosses an identification code into the installed connector. This mark allows you and the
electrical inspector to visually and quickly confirm that the proper connector, tool, and installation die were used and that the connector has been correctly placed. And since BURNDY
HYGROUND compression tools are designed to complete the crimp before releasing, you can be further assured of the installation quality.

expense of the

The permanent embossment of BURNDY HYGROUNDs range-taking connectors allows for proper
inspection days or even weeks after the installation was completed. This method of inspection is far
more reliable and less subjective than checking an exothermic connection with the tap of a hammer.

Components

Hygrid Cross
Connector (YGL-C)

Gridlok Ground Rod

to Grid Connector
(YGLR-C)

Figure 6 Hytap
Connector (YGHP-C)

Figure C Hytap
Connector (YGHC-C)

Hytail Ground Rod

Tap Connector
(YGHR-C)

Hytap Ground
Electrode Tap
Connector (YGHP-C)

Double H-Tap
Connector (YSHG)

Hylug Heavy-Duty
Terminals (YGHA)

Hylug Terminals
(YGA)

Hylink Heavy-Duty
Splice (YGHS)

Hylink Splice (YGS)

Grounding Plate (YGF)

GroundLink
Connector (YGIB)

Static Grounding
Receptacle (YGT
and YTTAG)

Versitail Structural
Steel Connector
(GSTUD-HY)

Provides tap or pigtailtype connection from

ground rods to grounding
counterpoise or grid.

A ground rod connector

with open groove for
both continuous run
and tapping applications
(second groove for
tap only).

Designed for cross

connections as well as
ells and tees.
Rotating elements
facilitate positioning prior
to crimp.
Conductor range #6
through 500 kcmil.

Provides high torque

connection to ground rod.

Can be used as tap

connector or a lap
splice connector.

Rotating elements
facilitate installation.

Conductor range #8
through 500 kcmil.

Conductor range #2
through 500 kcmil.

Ground rod 1/2", 5/8",

and 3/4".

Ground rod sizes 1/2",

5/8", 3/4", and 1".

Can be used for tap or

cross connections.
C-shaped opening
permits placing two
parallel cables into
conductor groove.
Conductor range #6
through 500 kcmil.

Conductor range #2
through 500 kcmil.
Ground rod sizes 1/2",
5/8", and 3/4".

Third hand constrains

conductors while installer
completes crimp.

Can be used on any

secondary splice or tap
application.

Designed to carry shortcircuit load and withstand

high mechanical stress.

Conductor range #14

through 500 kcmil.

Inspection hole ensures

proper cable insertion.

Ground rod sizes 3/4"

and 1".

Conductor range #2
through 500 kcmil.

Rebar sizes #6, #8,

and #9.

Designed for ground

applications.
Inspection hole ensures
proper cable insertion.

Designed to carry shortcircuit load and withstand

high mechanical stress.

Standard NEMA hole

spacing.

Inspection hole and center

stop ensure proper cable
insertion.

Conductor range #8
through 500 kcmil.

Conductor range #2
through 500 kcmil.

Designed to carry shortcircuit load and withstand

high mechanical stress.
Inspection hole and center
stop ensure proper cable
insertion.
Conductor range #2
through 500 kcmil.

Withstands the rigors of

concrete construction.
Pretapped two- or fourhole NEMA spacing.

Patented design allows

for ground attachment to
structural steel.

Connects to ground grid

and finished flush.

Tapped hole on underside

for ease of repositioning.

Available for straight or

angled steel.

YTTAG for aircraft

applications.

Holes plugged to keep

dirt out.

Includes thread protection

studs to prevent hole
deformation.

Conductor range #2
through 500 kcmil.

Welds to steel surfaces

quickly with regular
equipment.
Eliminates costly disk
grinding.
Knurled area copper
plated for excellent
gripping and electrical
integrity.

dies also proved

more economical
than the ongoing
molds.
Skip LaCoste
Arc Electrical
Contractors
Pensacola, FL