Earthing straps

Flexible earthing connectors and earthing straps are specialized connectors used in electrical engineering to connect devices and systems to earthing systems. They are made of highly flexible, flat copper material (tinned or bare copper wire), which enables reliable and durable earthing.

They are mainly used in areas where flexibility and durability are crucial - such as in machines, industrial plants and electrotechnical installations. Their main task is to prevent electrostatic charging and ensure the safety of electrical systems. The flexible design allows for easy installation in tight or hard-to-reach areas, making them particularly preferred in demanding electrotechnical environments.

A flexible earthing strap ensures a safe electrical connection between an appliance and the earthing system by conducting the current directly to earth. This prevents dangerous voltages from building up that could lead to damage or danger.

The earthing straps are made of flat copper wire, which is processed using a special braiding technique to provide maximum flexibility.

The ends of the strip are either rectangular with a crimped tube or rounded with a tin copper strip, which makes installation easier. In an electrical system, the earthing strap is attached directly to enclosures or equipment that need to be earthed, ensuring that excess current is safely discharged.

Flexible grounding connectors and grounding straps that we offer are UL certified to UL 467, which means that they meet the highest safety standards for grounding and bonding applications. This certification guarantees that the product works reliably and meets the requirements in various electrical applications.

In addition, the copper materials used meet the NF EN 13602 (NFC 31 111) standard, which further underlines their quality and performance. UL certification is an important factor as it ensures that the earthing straps are suitable for use in critical areas such as industrial machinery, electrical installations and transformers.

Flexible earth connectors and earthing straps are used in a wide range of industrial applications, particularly where electrical equipment needs to be reliably earthed.

They are used in transformers, electrolysis tanks, medium-voltage systems and in machines and devices that require a flexible but secure earthing connection.

The flexibility of these tapes makes them particularly suitable for applications where conventional rigid earthing cables cannot be used. In industry, flexible earthing straps can also be installed in hard-to-reach or confined areas, which increases their versatility. They are the preferred choice in environments with high safety requirements for earthing.

Flexible earthing connectors and earthing straps are available in different sizes and variants to meet the various requirements in electrical engineering. Standardized cross-sections range from 2 mm² to 250 mm², with wire diameters from 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm.

In addition, the lengths of the tapes can vary - from 100 mm to 600 mm, with customized lengths also available on request. The ends of the straps are available in two variants: rectangular with a crimped tube or rounded with a tin copper strip. These flexible earthing straps offer solutions for a wide range of earthing applications, both in industry and electronics.

Copper ground wire is mainly used in electrical systems where the excellent electrical properties of copper are important. Copper ground wire is a reliable stranded earthing wire and is responsible for the protection of electrical devices and systems. It is used in many areas, from industry and vehicle construction to electrical installations in buildings. Whether as a copper earthing strip, copper flat strip or laminated copper bar, we offer reliable earthing braids for all types of earthing and electrical protection. Copper earthing wire is particularly in demand when strong electrical currents need to be safely discharged or combined with a stranded wire connector. Typical areas of application include large machines, electrical systems and building installations. Copper has extremely high conductivity, which makes it ideal for such applications. It is also durable and resistant to corrosion, which is particularly important for long-term use. In many cases, a copper earthing strap is also used when a flexible earthing solution is required. This tape can be easily folded over and adjusted using a strand connector, making it perfect for applications where flexibility is required. Copper braid or copper mesh earthing also offers a similar function, especially when it comes to shielding electrical fields or protecting against electromagnetic interference. For industrial applications, a copper flat strip or laminated copper bar is often used to conduct larger amounts of current or to create an earthing connection. These copper rails or strips are particularly robust and can withstand high loads. In some cases, the copper braid is nickel-plated or copper braid nickel is used to provide additional protection against corrosion or high temperatures. Another important area of application for copper ground wire is as a copper ground connector or stranded wire connector in vehicles or large machines. Here it ensures that electrical charges are safely dissipated and thus protects against voltage flashovers or other electrical interference. Anyone who decides to use copper ground wire or copper braided strip should pay attention to the quality and the area of application. Although copper is more expensive than other materials, its efficiency and durability make it a worthwhile investment. Copper earthing tape, for example, is often the first choice when it comes to earthing buildings or industrial plants.

Earthing straps are generally durable and can last for several years, provided they are properly installed and maintained. However, the exact lifespan can depend on various factors such as the quality of the material, the environment in which they are used and the frequency with which they are stressed. It is recommended that earthing straps are inspected regularly to ensure that they are in good condition. An annual inspection is common, but more frequent inspections may be required depending on the area of use and stress. If damage or wear is found during the inspection, the earthing straps should be replaced. It is important not to continue using damaged or worn earthing straps as they may no longer perform their function properly and safety could be compromised. It is also advisable to follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for the earthing strap as these may vary depending on the product.

Aluminum earthing wire is becoming increasingly popular as it offers numerous advantages. But when exactly is aluminum used instead of other materials? Aluminum earthing wires are often used when weight is of great importance. Aluminum is lighter than copper, which is particularly advantageous in large construction projects or in overhead line construction. Every gram counts here, and the use of aluminum helps to reduce the overall weight of the system without sacrificing the necessary technical properties. The aluminum shielding braid is also important in EMC shielding (electromagnetic compatibility). Aluminum ground connectors or aluminum grounding straps are used to reduce interference from electromagnetic fields. In modern electronics, where more and more devices are working in a small space, EMC is of crucial importance. Here, the aluminum braid provides the necessary shielding. Aluminum earthing wire is also often used in the automotive industry. As vehicles have to become lighter and lighter in order to reduce fuel consumption, an aluminum earthing braid is a common choice for the earthing strand of electrical systems. Again, the light weight of aluminum grounding wire is particularly important. Aluminum grounding wire is also valued for its corrosion resistance. Especially in outdoor applications, where the earthing wire is constantly exposed to the weather, aluminum earthing wire offers reliable protection against rust. In addition, aluminum is significantly cheaper than copper, making it a cost-effective alternative. We offer aluminum earthing cables and wire braid made of aluminum for various requirements. Especially in industrial environments where large quantities of material are required, aluminum grounding straps are often the first choice because it is more economical and lighter. Aluminum grounding wire is always used when low weight, corrosion resistance and cost efficiency are required. If you want to buy aluminum grounding straps or aluminum earthing straps, we have the right aluminum braided shielding.

An earthing strap is a conductive textile strap with integrated discharge resistance (typically 1 MΩ) that discharges electrostatic charges to earth in a controlled manner. It is worn on the wrist or ankle and prevents ESD damage to sensitive components.

The mode of operation is based on the defined resistance value, which ensures safe charge equalization and at the same time offers personal protection in the event of mains faults. Compliant with DIN EN 61340-5-1 with a maximum system resistance of 3.5 × 10⁷ Ω.

Earthing straps are subject to DIN EN 50164-3 for earthing components in lightning protection systems and VDE 0100-540 for earthing systems in electrical installations. Standard dimensions are 30×3.5 mm (105 mm²) made of galvanized steel or stainless steel V4A with a minimum thickness of 2.5 mm.

The current carrying capacity is calculated in accordance with VDE 0141 and depends on the cross-section, material and short-circuit duration. For EMC applications in accordance with IEC 61000-5-2, low-impedance earthing is crucial, which is why wide ribbon configurations are preferred to round conductors.

Flexible earthing straps consist of finely stranded copper wires (typically 0.1-0.3 mm single wire diameter) in braided or stranded design. The high number of strands ensures low electrical resistance with maximum flexibility for vibration applications and movable connections.

Tin-plated or silver-plated versions are used for increased corrosion resistance. The minimum cross-section is based on DIN VDE 0100-540 and the fault current to be conducted, whereby mechanical stress must be taken into account by means of appropriate safety factors.

Ground straps Ground straps typically have an impedance of 1-10 mΩ/m at HF, which increases with increasing frequency due to inductance and skin effect. Wide flat ribbons (>20 mm) are better than round conductors at >1 MHz.

The inductance is 5-15 nH/m for flat ribbons. Optimal: short length, large width, low height above reference surface. Cu cross-section according to VDE 0100-540: min. 6 mm² for protective conductor, for HF ground often 16-35 mm² for low impedance.

The surface treatment of copper earthing straps prevents natural oxidation and ensures permanently low contact resistances at contact points. Untreated copper strips form an insulating oxide layer that significantly increases the earthing resistance over time.

Tin-plated earthing t apes are suitable for indoor and normal environments, while silver-plated versions are used in high-frequency applications. The layer thickness is typically 5-10 μm for tin-plated and 2-5 μm for silver-plated, depending on the corrosion class and EMC requirements.

The tinning of flexible copper earthing straps prevents oxidation of the copper surface and ensures permanently low contact resistances at contact points. Untreated copper strips form insulating copper oxide layers that significantly increase the earthing resistance over the years.

The flexibility is created by the braided strand structure of individual wires, which tolerates bending cycles and vibrations without fatigue breakage. Typical cross-sections: 6-120 mm² in accordance with VDE 0298-4. Silver-plated versions reduce skin effect losses with HF earthing above 1 MHz. Used in switch cabinets, EMC earth connections, power electronics and battery earthing with short-time currents of up to 50 kA in the event of a short circuit.