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V1.2
TBGP-250/140
“Roll Up” Ground Plane
Many EMC pre-compliance test set ups require a ground plane. Not every lab has the
necessary space for permanent installation of a sheet metal ground plane. This is where the
Tekbox TBGP-250/140 “roll up” ground plane comes handy. The ground plane can be rolled
up after use and stored inside its cardboard tube in a corner of the lab. The ground plane is
composed from a conductive fabric bonded to a fleece.
Picture 1: TBGP-250/140 “Roll-Up” Ground Plane
1 Specification
Fabric dimensions: 250 cm x 140 cm
Fabric thickness: 0.7 mm
Fabric weight: 1.1 kg
Fabric material: Polyester 45% + Silver 55% conductive fabric, fleece
Contact block dimensions: 96 mm x 40 mm x 7.2 mm
Contact block weight: 0.23 kg
Contact block material: brass, nickel plated
2 Warning
Make sure that your set up prevents main phase getting into contact with the fabrics of the
ground plane. Always connect protective earth to avoid any hazard of electrical shock.
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TBGP-250/140
“Roll Up” Ground Plane
3 Application
The ground plane can be used in full size, partially un-rolled, or easily cut to size by the user
according to his requirements.
Tekbox suggests two methods of contacting the ground plane:
Contact blocks:
Tekbox provides 4 pieces nickel plated brass contact blocks together with the ground plane.
Each block is equipped with three M5 threaded holes.
Each block has a weight of approximately a quarter kg. The blocks are placed on top of the
ground plane and establish a good electrical contact, due to its weight and surface area. This
method is very versatile, as the blocks can be placed and removed easily anywhere on the
ground plane surface. The threaded hole spacing is matched with the dimensions of the
ground brackets of most Tekbox LISNs.
Picture 2: using contact blocks to establish electrical contact to the ground plane
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V1.2
TBGP-250/140
“Roll Up” Ground Plane
Textile rivets:
Alternatively, or besides using contact blocks, the user can punch holes for standard male
textile rivets according to his requirements anywhere into the fabrics. Female textile rivets can
be used to clamp ground straps.
The photo below shows an example, using rivets from a low cost textile riveting set along with
a woven ground strap. The ground strap is clamped in between the two halves of the female
rivet.
Picture 3: using textile rivets to establish electrical contact to the ground plane
4 Hint
In order to simplify tightly rolling up the ground plane, clamp one side of the ground plane in
between two rods of suitable length. Clamp the rods together using cable binders.
Then roll up the ground plane, remove the cable binders and slide it into the card board tube.
Once inside the tube, pull out the rods.
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V1.2
TBGP-250/140
“Roll Up” Ground Plane
Picture 4: how to tightly roll up the ground plane
5 History
Version Date Author Changes
V 1.0 20.05.2020 Mayerhofer Creation of the document
V 1.1 22.05.2020 Mayerhofer Type error corrected
V 1.2 26.05.2020 Mayerhofer Update contact block dimensions
6 Ordering Information
Part Number Description
TBGP-250/140 “Roll-Up” Ground Plane 250 cm x 140 cm, 4 pieces contact blocks, packed in card board tube
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