equipment grounding for a data rack
equipment grounding for a data rack
(OP)
Hey all,
I have a specific question about grounding for a metal rack that houses servers. In my case, I am dealing with 4 server rooms in 4 different locations. At each location, a conductor is being used to bond the rack to a water pipe that is nearby each location. Is this allowed by the code, or do the racks need to be bonded to the service ground directly?
I have a specific question about grounding for a metal rack that houses servers. In my case, I am dealing with 4 server rooms in 4 different locations. At each location, a conductor is being used to bond the rack to a water pipe that is nearby each location. Is this allowed by the code, or do the racks need to be bonded to the service ground directly?






RE: equipment grounding for a data rack
See article G.5.1.6 of TIA-942 for the particular equipment bonding requirements.
RE: equipment grounding for a data rack
That would depend a little on whether IEEE standards are accepted in the country of concern, don't you think? Over here in IEC-land they are little more than an interesting irrelevance, well written as some undoubtedly are.
----------------------------------
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: equipment grounding for a data rack
You are right.
Best regards.
RE: equipment grounding for a data rack
So, it sounds like your installation is not code compliant.
RE: equipment grounding for a data rack
The grounding installation you describe is not recognized by NEC, nor by TIA. It may or may not be code compliant.
Additional grounding may or may not be required by NEC -- it is entirely possible that the racks are already grounded in a code-compliant manner via bonding from the rack to the equipment chassis to the equipment plug to the power distribution grounding system. In fact, it is very likely that such grounding exists unless you have intentionally provided isolation between the equipment chassis and rack. So, safety grounding per NEC may or may not already exist.
TIA/EIA would recommend additional grounding above and beyond NEC requirements to help ensure proper equipment operation. Such grounding would typically include a series of ground busses, one in each server room, bonded together and to the building structure and earthing system. The water service entrance is also required to be bonded to the building earthing system per NEC (within 5' of the point where it enters the building).
So, your installation may or may not be NEC compliant. And it does not conform to the recommendations of EIA/TIA.