Mesh bonded vs isolated bonded earthing network for indoor grounding

In the 1990's we were predicting that telecommunications and computing technologies will inevitably converge. Today we don't even see them as separate industries. Let us look at how this convergence has affected the design of grounding systems inside telecommunications and computer room. Mesh bonding network, MBN are common historically and today in AC Data Centers and computer room. MBN is defined as “a bonding network to which all associated equipment (e.g., cabinets, frames, racks, trays, pathways) are connected using a bonding grid, which is connected to multiple points on the common bonding network.” in Standard TIA 607C Isolated Bonded Networks IBN has been predominant in telecommunications rooms like central offices, cell sites, outdoor cabinets and transmission sites. In this system a single point connection window is used where all equipment is connected directly or via an ground bus or a ground halo to single ground bar. This paper explains the MBN and IBN methods of indoor grounding and explores the potential advantages and disadvantages of each system. There is cause for future merging of AC data rooms and DC Telecom room into one. The future decision will be to choose one of these systems for the common function equipment rooms.