Bare Copper Tapes
Copper is used for most earthing installations due to its high conductivity, anti-corrosive properties and its flexibility for use in-air, in-earth and in-concrete –  bare copper tape is available in a range of conductor sizes to meet differing current ratings

Thorne & Derrick stock and distribute the most extensive range of Copper Earth Tapes – this includes bare copper and covered tapes in a selection of coloured oversheathing used to provide earthing protection and connect metalwork, switchgear and transformers within LV, MV & HV substation buildings and outdoor compounds.

Typically, copper earth tapes are used as LV-HV electrodes for standard earthing arrangements on ground mounted LV MV HV substations – the earth tape functions as a perimeter electrode installed to the outer edges of the foundation in direct contact with the soil and connected to the switchgear earth bars. The earthing will provide protection to exposed and normally un-energised conductive metalwork  within the substation perimeter fence including panels, kiosks, lighting towers and oil tanks.

Within substation buildings, metal trench covers are indirectly earthed typically using bare copper earth tape (25mm x 3mm) installed along one edge of the trench top edge.

Where copper tape within the site is to be buried under proposed cable routes care should be taken to ensure it is buried deep enough into the ground or protected in cable duct to avoid damage during cable installation.AN Wallis Part Number    Earth Tape W x H    Copper Cross Sectional Area (CSA) / Thickness    Weight Per Metre    Standard Copper Coil Size
TC 121    12.5mm x 1.5mm    18.75sqmm    0.17kg    100m
TC 123    12.5mm x 3mm    37.50sqmm    0.33kg    100m
TC 201    20mm x 1.5mm    30sqmm    0.27kg    100m
TC 203    20mm x 3mm    60sqmm    0.53kg    100m
TC 251    25mm x 1.5mm    37.5sqmm    0.33kg    100m
TC 253    25mm x 3mm    75sqmm    0.67kg    25m & 50m
TC 254    25mm x 4mm    100sqmm    0.89kg    50m
TC 256    25mm x 6mm    150sqmm    1.33kg    40m
TC 302    30mm x 2mm    60sqmm    0.53kg    50m
TC 303    30mm x 3mm    90sqmm    0.80kg    50m
TC 304    30mm x 4mm    120sqmm    1.07kg    40m
TC 305    30mm x 5mm    150sqmm    1.33kg    40m
TC 313    31mm x 3mm    93sqmm    0.83kg    50m
TC 3154    31.5mm x 4mm    126sqmm    1.13kg    40m
TC 316    31mm x 6mm    186sqmm    1.65kg    30m
TC 383    38mm x 3mm    114sqmm    1.01kg    50m
TC 385    38mm x 5mm    190sqmm    1.69kg    30m
TC 386    38mm x 6mm    228sqmm    2.02kg    25m
TC 403    40mm x 3mm    120sqmm    1.06kg    40m
TC 404    40mm x 4mm    160sqmm    1.42kg    30m
TC 405    40mm x 5mm    200sqmm    1.78kg    25m
TC 406    40mm x 6mm    240sqmm    2.16kg    25m
TC 4063    40mm x 6.3mm    252sqmm    2.24kg    25m
TC 503    50mm x 3mm    150sqmm    1.33kg    40m
TC 504    50mm x 4mm    200sqmm    1.78kg    30m
TC 505    50mm x 5mm    250sqmm    2.22kg    20m
TC 506    50mm x 6mm    300sqmm    2.68kg    10m & 20m
TC 5063    50mm x 6.3mm    315sqmm    2.80kg    20m
TC 508    50mm x 8mm    400sqmm    3.60kg    15m