Grounding Accessory

Grounding accessories for electrosmog shielding products: system components and selection

The components of the grounding system are connected to each other using cable lugs. Torx bits and fastening tools are included with fixed connection components, but the grounding cable must be selected separately for several products. The total installation height of the GS1, GS2 and GS3 grounding plates is 4 mm without the cover and 6 mm with the cover. The metal components have a treated surface and rounded edges, while the plastic components are manufactured using selective laser sintering.

The main product selection criteria are:

• fixed or portable shielding product;
• paint, mesh, fleece, plaster, reinforcement fabric or conductive textile;
• indoor or outdoor installation;
• direct plate contact, grounding tape, magnetic, screw-type or hook-and-loop connection;
• the required number of cable connections and grounding points.

The applicable rules and regulations must be observed when installing the grounding system.

Which shielding materials can be used with grounding plates and housings?

The GS1 is a 20x80 mm grounding plate, the GS2 measures 40x80 mm, and the GS3 measures 80x80 mm. All three can be installed directly on the shielding product or grounding tape and are intended exclusively for indoor use. The GS1 is primarily used near skirting boards with shielding paint or shielding mesh. Due to its small contact surface, one unit is required per wall. The GS2 and GS3 are used for smaller continuous surfaces, with one unit required for each connected surface. The GS1 provides two cable connections, the GS2 provides one, and the GS3 provides three.

The GF2 is a 40x80 mm grounding housing, the GF3 measures 80x80 mm, and the GF4 measures 120x120 mm. They can be installed as surface-mounted or flush-mounted components. They can be positioned directly on shielding products or used to secure grounding tape. They are suitable for shielding paint, mesh, plaster and reinforcement fabric. They can be installed indoors and, with additional sealing, outdoors. One unit is required per surface. The GF2 has one tape attachment point and two cable connections, while the GF3 and GF4 have three attachment points and two cable connections. The flush-mounted housings are 11 mm high. Due to its larger surface area, the GF4 is intended for facade and roof areas.

Conductive grounding tapes for shielding paint, mesh and fleece

The GSX10 and GSX50 are self-adhesive grounding tapes with a conductive adhesive layer. Their base material is HNG80 mesh made from polyester, copper and nickel, with conductive acrylic adhesive on the rear surface. The tape is 25 mm wide and 0.11 mm thick. It can be applied beneath or over shielding paint, fleece or mesh and can also be used to bridge cracks in the substrate. The GSX10 is 10 m long, while the GSX50 is 50 m long. Both versions are corrosion-resistant and intended exclusively for indoor use.

The GSS25 stainless steel grounding tape is used to connect stainless steel meshes and fleeces installed inside walls or dry construction systems. The components must be installed with an overlap of 5 to 10 cm. The tape must then be screwed to the substrate across all components, particularly at the overlapping sections. The tape must be degreased before use. It is 25 m long, 12 mm wide and 0.8 mm thick, with a hole spacing of 14.5 mm and a hole diameter of 5 mm.

How can conductive textiles be connected?

The GCS screw-type connector uses two 36x36x6 mm plates to connect conductive fabric, fleece or mesh. The material must be pierced for installation. The GCM magnetic version also uses two plates, but they are held together by strong magnets, so the shielding material does not need to be perforated. Both versions provide one cable connection.

The GCV silver-plated hook-and-loop connector is intended for sewn textile products equipped with a matching hook-and-loop section sewn on using silver thread. These products can include canopies, carpets, blankets, sleeping bags and bedding. The connector includes a 5 cm silver-plated hook-and-loop contact surface and one cable connection.

Grounding plugs, distributors and pre-assembled grounding cables

The GP1 Professional EF grounding plug is designed for the CEE-7/4 and CEE-7/7 systems and for fixed installation. Up to four cables can be connected, and the plug can be secured to the mains socket with screws. The following grounding plugs are intended for portable textile products: GPE EF for CEE 7/7, GPB B for NEMA-5, GPD D for IA6A3, GPG G for BS 1363, GPI I for AS/NZS 3112, GB 1002 and IRAM 2073, GPJ J for SEV 1011, GPL L for CEI 23-50, and GPM M for BS 546. These versions contain two cable connections and a 60x60x15 mm protective cover. The GPE EF version is also listed for the socket system used in Hungary.

The GD5 distributor has five cable connections and distributes one grounding point to a maximum of four products. It can be positioned freely or mounted on a wall. GL cables are designed to connect grounding components to each other and have crimped cable lugs and heat-shrink tubing at both ends. The conductor has a cross-section of 2.5 mm2 and is transparent and flexible. Available versions include the 20 cm GL20, 1 m GL100, 2 m GL200, 5 m GL500 and 10 m GL1000.

What is the difference between grounding fixed and portable shielding products?

Fixed shielding paints, meshes, fleeces, plasters and reinforcement fabrics use GS and GF components, the corresponding grounding tapes and the GP1 fixed grounding plug. Portable textile products use a portable grounding plug that matches the local socket standard or the GCR stainless steel grounding rod. The GCR is 33 cm long, has two cable connections and is intended for canopies, sleeping bags, bedding and other portable products. Fixed shielding paint, mesh, fleece, plaster or reinforcement fabric must not be connected to it.

Which connection method suits the electrosmog shielding product?

The screw-type GCS connection mechanically secures the two plates but requires the material to be perforated. The magnetic GCM connection holds conductive fabric, fleece or mesh between two plates without perforation. The GCV hook-and-loop connection can only be used with sewn textile products equipped with the appropriate matching hook-and-loop section. GS grounding plates provide direct surface contact for indoor installation. GF housings can secure grounding tape and can be installed as surface-mounted or flush-mounted components. With additional sealing, they can also be used for outdoor installations.

Advantages and limitations:

• different connection methods are available for different shielding materials;
• cables are available in lengths from 20 cm to 10 m;
• portable grounding plugs must not be used for fixed shielding surfaces;
• GSX grounding tape is intended exclusively for indoor use;
• outdoor installation of GF components requires additional sealing.

We recommend selecting the components according to the shielding material, mounting method, local socket standard, required cable length and number of connections.

Frequently asked questions and summary

• Can the same grounding plug be used for fixed and portable products?
  No. The GP1 is designed for fixed installation, while the GPE, GPB, GPD, GPG, GPI, GPJ, GPL and GPM versions are intended for portable textile products.
• Which connector does not require the textile to be pierced?
  The GCM magnetic grounding connector holds the two plates together using magnets.
• Which grounding cable lengths are available?
  GL cables are available in lengths of 20 cm, 1 m, 2 m, 5 m and 10 m.
• Can the GCR grounding rod be used with a painted wall?
  No. The GCR is intended for portable textile products and must not be used with fixed shielding surfaces.
• Which components can be installed outdoors?
  The GF2, GF3 and GF4 grounding housings can be installed outdoors with additional sealing.

In summary, the appropriate system component must match the construction of the shielding product. Fixed surfaces require a grounding plate, housing, tape and fixed grounding plug, while portable textiles require a suitable connector, portable grounding plug or grounding rod.