Ground Loops

is typically installed underground or within 12 ft of the building grade, it consists of a properly sized conductor that encircles the structure and interconnects to all grounded or grounding systems. Its purpose is ground potential equalization across all systems, which is an important safety measure as it eliminates dangerous differences between systems which could result in arcing. It also works to ensure a sufficiently low ground resistance across all building systems.

Counterpoise Conductors

is a buried bare underground electrical conductor that provides protection to underground cable raceways or building systems from underground surges. Underground surges are an unpredictable force may result from high voltage line discharge, or even a nearby lightning strike. However, when a counterpoise is encircling a structure, it will facilitate the dissipation of a ground surge before it enters the building, where it would wreak havoc and cause untold damage.