ERICO GEM - Manual

INSTRUCTION SHEET
GROUND ENHANCEMENT MATERIAL (GEM)
TRENCH INSTALLATION
1. Premix GEM into a slurry form. Use 1.5 to 2 gallons (5.7 to 7.6 liters)
of clean potable water per pail of GEM.
2. To mix GEM into a slurry form, use a standard cement mixer or
mix in the GEM pail, a mixing box, wheelbarrow, etc. Use 1.5 to 2
gallons (5.7 to 7.6 liters) of clean-potable water per pail of GEM.
Do not mix GEM with salt water.
3. Spread out enough GEM to uniformly cover bottom of
trench – about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. (See table)
4. Place conductor on top of GEM. (See Note 1)
5. Spread more GEM on top of conductor to completely cover
conductor – about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Allow GEM to harden.
Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour before filling the trench with soil backfill.
6. Carefully cover the GEM with soil to a depth of about 4 inches
(10 cm), making sure not to expose the conductor.
7. Tamp down the soil, then fill in the trench.
Note 1: Wait for the GEM to harden, about 15 to 20 minutes, before
placing the conductor on top of the GEM. You must apply
4 inches (10 cm) of insulating material to the conductors and
ground rods exiting the GEM, starting 2 inches (5 cm) inside
the GEM.
Note 2: Excess standing water must be removed from trench.
1
NEC is a registered trademark of, and National Electrical Code (NEC) standard is a copyright of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc.
Copyright ©2005, 2010, 2012 ERICO International Corporation. All rights reserved.
CADDY, CADWELD, CRITEC, ERICO, ERIFLEX, ERITECH, and LENTON are registered trademarks of ERICO International Corporation.
WARNING
1. ERICO products shall be installed and used only as indicated
in ERICO product instruction sheets and training materials.
Instruction sheets are available at www.erico.com and from
your ERICO customer service representative.
2. ERICO products must never be used for a purpose other than
the purpose for which they were designed or in a manner that
exceeds specified load ratings.
3. All instructions must be completely followed to ensure proper
and safe installation and performance.
4. Improper installation, misuse, misapplication or other failure to
completely follow ERICO’s instructions and warnings may cause
product malfunction, property damage, serious bodily injury
and death.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS: All governing codes and regulations
and those required by the job site must be observed. Always use
appropriate safety equipment such as eye protection, hard hat,
and gloves as appropriate to the application.
Ground Enhancement Material (GEM) contains hydraulic cements
and should be handled with the same precautions as used with
portland cement.
PLEASE OBSERVE THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
CAUTION
Contact with GEM is irritating to respiratory system and skin.
Avoid contact, ingestion or breathing the product.
1. Risk of serious damage to eyes. Wear eye protection.
If GEM gets into the eye, rinse immediately and repeatedly
with water and seek prompt medical attention.
2. Do not breathe dust. Wear respiratory protection when
exposed to GEM dust.
3. Protect skin with boots, gloves, clothing and eye/face protection.
4. Avoid prolonged contact of GEM with skin. Wash skin promptly
after any contact with GEM.
5. If GEM is ingested, drink large quantities of water immediately
and then induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately.
6. Do not smoke when using GEM.
7. Do not expose GEM to open flame.
GEM
1”
2.5 cm
4”
10 cm
Soil
Soil Backfill
4”
10 cm
30”
Trench
75 cm
GEM
1”
2.5 cm
GEM
Ground Conductor
Complies to IEC 62561-7.
GEM Resistivity ≤ 2 Ohm-cm; 2-Electrode Method.
Estimated linear feet of ground conductor covering with each pail of GEM.
Total Thickness of GEM (inches / cm)
Trench Width
(inches / cm)
1” 2.5 cm 2” 5.0 cm 3” 7.5 cm 4” 10.0 cm
4” 10.0 cm 14.0’ 4.27 m 7.0’ 2.13 m 4.7’ 1.43 m 3.5’ 1.06 m
6” 15.2 cm 9.3’ 2.83 m 4.7’ 1.43 m 3.1’ 0.94 m 2.3’ 0.70 m
8” 20.3 cm 7.0’ 2.13 m 3.5’ 1.06 m 2.3’ 0.70 m 1.8’ 0.55 m
10” 25.4 cm 5.6’ 1.70 m 2.8’ 0.85 m 1.9’ 0.57 m 1.4’ 0.42 m
12” 30.5 cm 4.7’ 1.43 m 2.3’ 0.70 m 1.6’ 0.48 m 1.2’ 0.37 m
A 25-pound pail of GEM will cover 7 linear feet (2.1 m) of conductor length for a 4-inch-wide (10 cm), 2-inch-thick
(5 cm) covering (1 inch (2.5 cm) below and 1 inch (2.5 cm) above conductor), based on a density of 63.5 lb/cu.ft.