integrated ground plane

A set of interconnected frames that is intentionally grounded via multiple connections to a ground reference. Multiple connections are intended to keep voltage drops (due to power faults in the ac or dc power systems or from lightning) to acceptable levels. The following are examples of an integrated ground plane: building steel, water pipes, ground rod systems, counterpoises, vertical and horizontal ground reference conductors, grounding (earthing) wires, and metallic raceways form an integrated ground plane when bonded together by a multiplicity of both deliberate and incidental connections. Synonym common bonding network (CBN). [T1.313-1997]