Engineering Standard

SAES-T-795 28 January, 2004

Communications Facility Grounding Systems
Communications Standards Committee Members
Al-Dabal, J.K., Chairman
Al-Ghamdi, K.S., Vice Chairman
Al-Hashel, M.H.
AliKhan, M.S.
Almadi, S.M.
Al-Nufaii, A.S.
Al-Shammary, D.M.
Dabliz, Z.E.
Daraiseh, A.A.
Elsayed, M.
Gotsis, S.D.
Ismail, A.I.
Jabr, A.A.
Kahtani, W.H.
Karr, S.K.
Mckew, M.P.
Qatari, S.A.
Tageldin, T.G.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations............................... 2
3 References.................................................... 2
4 Design Requirements................................... 3
5 Installation.................................................... 13
6 Testing and Inspection................................. 13

Figure 1 – Entrance Cable

Protector Ground Bar (ECPGB)........... 14
Figure 2 – Electronic Switching
Equipment Frame Grounding............... 15

Previous Issue: 29 November, 2000 Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 15
Primary contact: Tag Tageldin on 872-9152
Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

1 Scope

This standard covers mandatory requirements governing the design and installation of
communications grounding systems for electronic, analog and digital
telecommunications facilities and remote digital switching terminals and repeater sites.
This includes upgrading existing facility when new equipment is being added.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

Any deviations, providing less than the mandatory requirements of this standard require
written waiver approval as per Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure SAEP-302.

3 References

Referenced standards and specifications shall be of the latest edition, revision or

addendum, unless otherwise stated. Applicable references are listed below.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirements

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-P-111 Grounding
SAES-T-887 Telecommunications Electrical Coordination -
Protection at Power Plant and Radio Stations
SAES-T-903 Outside Plant Electrical Protection and
Grounding

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-106 Epoxy Coating of Steel Reinforcing Bars

Saudi Aramco Standard Drawing

AA-036391 Communications Equipment Grounding for
Telecommunication Facilities

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

General Telephone and Electronics

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

GTE 795-805-071 Central Office, Grounding Systems - Engineering

Applications
GTE 795-805-072 AC Service Grounding Engineering Applications
GTE 795-805-073 Telephone Central Office Grounding of
Transmission Equipment
GTE 795-805-074 Inspecting Central Office Grounding and
Electrical Protection
GTE 795-805-075 Remote Electronic Serving Area Grounding
Systems - Engineering Considerations

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC)
NFPA 780 Standards for the Installation of Lightning
Protection Systems

4 Design Requirements

The GTE 795-805-071, Telephone Operations Practices "Central Office Grounding

Systems Engineering Applications"; GTE 795-805-072, "AC Service Grounding
Engineering Applications"; GTE 795-805-073, "Central Office Grounding
Transmission Equipment"; GTE 795-805-074, "Inspecting Central Office Grounding
and Electrical Protection"; and GTE 795-805-075, "Remote Electronic Serving Area
Grounding Systems - Engineering Considerations" are hereby recognized as Saudi
Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-T-795, "Communications Facility Grounding
Systems". Mandatory items and modifications are listed herein.

4.1 Communications Facility Grounding

4.1.1 Each communications facility shall have one common grounding

system.

4.1.2 Single-point Ground Systems (SPG)

All communications facility grounding shall include a Single-point

Ground System (SPG), where the positive battery, circuit ground, or
discharge ground do not contact other grounds except at a designated
single point. (Reference: Standard Drawing AA-036391).

4.1.3 All ground conductors, straps and connections shall be installed in a

manner to direct the fault current or lightning from its source to the
grounding electrode system.

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

4.2 Grounding System Components

The major components of the grounding system are:

- Grounding Electrode System
- Master Ground Bar (MGB)
- Floor Ground Bar (FGB)
- Vertical Equalizer (VE)
- Horizontal Equalizer (HE)
- Noncoated Building Steel
- Computer Floor Grounding
- MDF/Entrance Cable Protector Ground Bar (ECPGB)
- Cable Shield/Cable Vault Ground Bar (CVGB)
- Waveguide Entrance Ground Bar (WEGB)
- Grounding Conductor (GC)

4.2.1 Grounding Electrode System

4.2.1.1 The communications facility grounding system shall be

either or all of the following:
- Ground ring
- Rod electrodes
- Ground fields, etc.
- Noncoated Building Steel

4.2.1.2 Saudi Aramco Standard SAES-P-111 and the NFPA 70

(NEC) code requirements shall be complied with for all AC
Power grounding, grounding electrodes and grounding
electrode systems for communications facilities.

4.2.1.3 The design of the grounding electrode system, calculations

of the earth resistance, and the grounding methods and
measurements shall be according to SAES-T-887 and
SAES-P-111.

4.2.1.4 The grounding electrode system shall be bonded to all the

following facilities present at the premises:
- AC main service power neutral
- Metal underground water piping system and/or metal
well casing within a distance of 3 meters
- Noncoated building steel

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

- Any other ground electrode system

Commentary Note:

Grounding electrodes and ground rings shall be

constructed, bonded and shall provide access to lead
connections for resistance measurements in accordance
with SAES-P-111 (Section 4.1.3 through 4.1.8, Section 4.2
and Section 5).

4.2.1.5 The ground resistance of the grounding electrode system at

the MGB shall not exceed:
- 3 ohms for communications facilities with Electronic
Switching and Transmission Systems
- 2 ohms for communications facilities with a
Communications Tower(s)

4.2.2 Master Ground Bar (MGB)

4.2.2.1 The MGB is a copper ground bar located within the

communications equipment room. The minimum size shall
be 6 mm x 102 mm x 500 mm. Make all grounding
connections to the MGB using two-hole approved copper
terminal lugs.

4.2.2.2 There shall be only one MGB for every communications

facility. The MGB shall be located as close as possible to
the AC service and outside plant main distribution frame,
without interfering with cable structures and support. The
location of the MGB must be identified on building
drawings and equipment layout plans, and on the bar itself.

4.2.2.3 The MGB shall be bonded to the building ground grid (AC
power ground) through two buried leads from opposite
sides of the ground grid. The leads shall be a minimum of
4/0 AWG (120 mm²) bare tinned-copper conductors.
Unavoidable bends shall have a large radius (for minimum
acceptable bending radius, refer to 4.2.11.5). The two leads
shall be run in PVC conduit. When the PVC conduit is
used in areas where it would be exposed to sunlight, it must
be a type that is resistant to ultraviolet rays.

4.2.2.4 Direct bonding of communications equipment within the

communications building to the building ground grid is not
permissible. The communications equipment shall be

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

bonded to the building ground grid through a single point at

the MGB. The MGB is the common point of grounding
connection for the DC and communications equipment.
The AC distribution system shall not be connected to the
building ground grid through the MGB.

4.2.2.5 The MGB shall be divided to the following zones:

P surge producers (such as interior radio equipment

including cable trays that are connected to radio
equipment, Cable Shield/Cable Vault Ground Bar and
MDF/Entrance Cable Protector Ground Bar)

A surge absorbers (both ground leads coming from the

opposite sides of the ground grid)

N non-isolated equipment (DC Power system positive

return bus, computer floor, communication racks and
cable trays)

I isolated equipment (electronic switching equipment &

transmission systems and terminal Equipment)

These zones shall be permanently labeled on the MGB and

on the building drawings.
Commentary Notes:

1. The isolated equipment zone must be placed as far away

as possible from the surge producer zone.

2. The MGB must not have leads (other than those specified
in this practice) connected to it to complete an electrical
path for any other purpose. The MGB shall not be placed
in the cable vault.

4.2.2.6 The communications equipment located outside

communications building (i.e., communication towers,
waveguides, etc.) shall be bonded directly to the AC ground
grid outside the building.

4.2.3 Floor Ground Bar (FGB)

4.2.3.1 One FGB shall be installed on each floor of the

communications building for every 60 x 60 m² equipment
area. Also, FGB shall be provided if the distance between

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

the MGB/FGB and the involved equipment exceeds 40 m or

the equipment floor area exceeds the specified limit.

4.2.3.2 The location of the FGBs must be identified on the building

drawings and on the equipment layout plans and shall not
interfere with the cable support requirements. The
minimum size shall be 6 mm x 102 mm x 500 mm. All
connections shall be two holes.

4.2.4 Vertical Equalizer (VE)

4.2.4.1 To equalize the ground potential in a vertical direction

across the building, Vertical Equalizers (VE) shall be
installed in buildings where the communications equipment
(switching, transmission, DC equipment) is located on
different floors.

4.2.4.2 The VE is an insulated copper conductor of minimum 750

MCM (thousands circular mils) (400 mm²) size that shall be
directly bonded to FGBs at each floor level. The VE shall
be as straight as possible without offsets. Unavoidable
bends shall be with a minimum turn radius of 900 mm.

4.2.5 Horizontal Equalizer (HE)

Horizontal Equalizers (HE) shall be used to equalize the ground

potential from its appearance at the MGB/FGB to the FGBs (if
installed) on the same floor. Multiple VEs shall be bonded by HEs of
minimum 750 MCM (400 mm²) insulated copper conductor. The HE
must be as straight as possible. Unavoidable bends shall not exceed 90
degrees with a minimum turn radius of 900 mm.

4.2.6 Noncoated building Steel

All noncoated building structural steel and rebars shall be bonded to

the building external ground ring accordance with SAES-P-111.
Commentary Note:

Coated rebars specified in this standard should be the epoxy-coated

steel rebars as specified in 09-SAMSS-106.

4.2.7 Computer Flooring (N zone)

4.2.7.1 When computer flooring is used, form a loop around the

perimeter of the floor area using a minimum of No. 6 AWG

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

(16 mm²) copper conductor and splice its ends together with
a single splice. Bond the loop to the computer flooring
metal support in intervals along the loop not to exceed 6
meters. Exposed connections shall be taped.

4.2.7.2 Bond the loop to the nearest MGB/FGB using a minimum

of No. 2/0 AWG (70 mm²) insulated copper conductor.

4.2.7.3 Additional grounding and bonding of computer floors shall

be applied according to the computer-flooring
manufacturer's instructions.

4.2.8 MDF/Entrance Cable Protector Ground Bar (ECPGB) - P zone

The entrance cable protector ground bar (ECPGB) is a copper bar that
is attached horizontally across the top or bottom of the Main
Distribution Frame (MDF) or the Protector Distribution Frame (PDF).
The ECPGB shall be grounded to the MGB/FGB using a minimum of
No. 1/0 AWG (50 mm²) PVC insulated copper conductor at maximum
intervals of 5 meters, so that no protector vertical is more than 2.5
meters from a ground lead to the MGB/FGB. The protectors
(connectors) on each MDF or PDF vertical shall be interconnected
(Interconnector Ground Strap) using a minimum of No. 6 AWG (16
mm²) insulated copper conductors and then connected to the ECPGB
(Long Ground Strap) using a minimum of No. 6 AWG (16 mm²)
insulated copper conductor (Figure-1, page 15).

4.2.9 Cable Shield/Cable Vault Ground Bar (CVGB) - P zone

Cable vaults shall have a copper Cable Vault Ground Bar (CVGB)
which shall be bonded to the MGB using a minimum of No. 1/0 AWG
(50 mm²) insulated copper conductor. No. 6 AWG insulated copper
conductor or equivalent copper strap shall be used to bond cable
shields to the (CVGB). The minimum size shall be 6 mm x 51 mm x
150 mm.

4.2.10 Waveguide Entrance Ground Bar

4.2.10.1 Waveguide Entrance Ground Bar (WEGB) is a copper

ground bar located outside the communications building at
or near the tower horizontal cable run entry.

4.2.10.2 The WEGB shall be bonded to the communications

building grounding electrode system (building ground ring)

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

at a single point outside the building using a minimum of

No. 4 AWG (25 mm²) bare tinned solid copper conductor.

4.2.11 Grounding Conductor (GC)

4.2.11.1 Grounding Conductors (GCs) are insulated green and

yellow (or with yellow tape at visible locations) copper
conductors that are used to connect the non-current carrying
metal parts of DC communications equipment, raceways,
and other enclosures to the inside building ground bars like
MGB/FGB.

4.2.11.2 GCs shall be insulated copper base material. They shall be

run either in nonmetallic conduit only, or not in conduit at
all, and run only through nonmetallic sleeves in ceilings,
floors and walls.

4.2.11.3 GCs shall not be encircled with metal clamps. They shall
not run through metal walls/plates/conduits or ducts. They
shall be separated from the DC power, switchboards and
high frequency cables etc. by at least 0.3 meter.

4.2.11.4 Ground conductors shall not be run within one meter of

processors or memory frames.

4.2.11.5 All bends in ground conductors shall be kept to a minimum.

Unavoidable bends shall have a large radius. The minimum
acceptable bending radius shall be:
- 150 mm for sizes up to No. 6 AWG (16 mm²)
- 300 mm for sizes more than No. 6 AWG (16 mm²) and
up to No. 4/0 AWG (120 mm²)
- 600 mm for sizes more than No. 4/0 AWG
(120 mm²) and up to No.500 MCM (250 mm²)
- 900 mm for sizes greater than No. 500 MCM (250 mm²)

4.2.11.6 The grounding conductors shall be permanently marked at

the MGB as well as at all other ground bars.

4.2.11.7 GCs connections to ground bars shall be only 2 holes

connectors.

4.3 DC Power System Grounding

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

4.3.1 The DC Power system positive return bus shall be isolated from the
framework and locate the return bus in or above the:
- Power control and distribution units
- Batteries and chargers/rectifiers

4.3.2 The positive return bus in the power distribution unit frame shall be
connected to the nearest MGB or FGB on the same floor using an
insulated copper conductor. The size of this conductor shall be a
minimum of 2/0 AWG (70 mm²), or designed to carry the maximum
office drain current (whichever is larger).

4.3.3 The DC positive return cables shall be solid black color.

4.3.4 The DC negative supply cables and conductors shall be solid red color.

4.3.5 The chassis ground cables shall be solid green color.

4.4 AC Power System Grounding

4.4.1 AC Power services shall be grounded according to Saudi Aramco

grounding standard SAES-P-111 and NFPA 70 (NEC) minimum
requirements.

4.4.2 AC outlets grounding installed on communications equipment rack

shall be isolated from equipment chassis.

4.4.3 AC-powered equipment, such as rectifiers and inverters and racks that
they are mounted on, shall be isolated from the DC equipment racks,
cable trays and DC grounding.

4.5 Entrance Cable Bonding

The metallic cable shield (including metallic armor, metallic central strength
member, etc., if present) of each entrance cables (copper, co-axial and fiber
optic) shall be bonded with a copper bonding ribbon of minimum 1.6 mm x 10
mm or a minimum of No. 6 AWG (16 mm²) insulated copper. The bonding
ribbon or the copper conductor shall be terminated and grounded on the cable
vault ground bar.

4.6 Electronic Switching Equipment Grounding

4.6.1 Each electronic switching equipment frame shall be bonded to the

grounding system through the MGB/FGB.

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

4.6.2 Run ground lead from MGB/FGB (I) zone along the main aisle,
perpendicular to the equipment frame line-ups using a minimum of No.
2/0 AWG (70 mm²) insulated copper conductor. Install a lead down
each aisle of electronic equipment, using a minimum of No. 2 AWG
(35 mm²) insulated copper conductor, and bond it to the primary
ground lead. Bond each equipment frame to the aisle ground lead
using a minimum of No. 6 AWG (16 mm²) insulated copper conductor
(Figure 2, page 16).

4.7 Transmission Systems and Terminal Equipment Grounding

(Refer to GTE Practice 795-805-073)

4.7.1 All transmission systems, equipment and terminal equipment shall be

grounded using a Single-point Ground system.

4.7.2 The DC power cabling (feeder and distribution) to transmission system

and terminal equipment shall be parallel paired conductors of equal
size. The return buses of the Disconnect Switch Unit Frames and
Power Distribution Unit Frames serving transmission equipment shall
be insulated from the frames. All transmission equipment frames and
the superstructure shall be grounded to the MGB/FGB.

4.7.3 Single-point ground powered transmission frames shall not share a

common remote power distribution unit frame or fuse panel bay. On
transmission bays supported by a power distribution unit frame,
connect the power distribution unit frame metal directly to the
MGB/FGB using insulated copper conductor of the size described in
4.7.4.

4.7.4 If the largest fuse used at the Disconnect Switch Unit Frame or the fuse
panel bay feeding transmission equipment bay is less than:
- 250 amperes, use no. 2/0 AWG (70 mm²) conductor
- 400 amperes, use 250 MCM (125 mm²) conductor
- 600 amperes, use 500 MCM (250 mm²) conductor
- 1000 amperes, use 750 MCM (400 mm²) conductor

4.7.5 Each individual transmission equipment frame shall be grounded using

a ground lead from the MGB with No. 2/0 AWG (70 mm²) insulated
copper. The ground lead shall run along the equipment bay and
connect to the individual equipment, using branch leads of No. 6 AWG
(16 mm²) insulated copper of no more than 1 meter in length.

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

4.7.6 The transmission equipment superstructure (cable rack) shall be joined

to the grounding conductor connecting MGB and Disconnect Switch
Unit Frames using No. 2/0 AWG (70 mm²) insulated copper conductor.

4.7.7 All transmission systems and terminal equipment with Stored Program
Control, such as Digital Access Cross Connect Systems, shall be
treated as separate electronic switching systems and shall be grounded
according to electronic switching system grounding (Section 4.6).

4.7.8 Interior radio and microwave equipment (including cabinets and cable
trays that are connected to the equipment) shall be connected directly
to the MGB with No. 2/0 AWG (70 mm²) insulated copper conductors.
The ground lead shall run along the equipment bay and connect to the
individual equipment, using branch leads of No. 6 AWG (16 mm²)
insulated copper.

4.8 Radio System Grounding

4.8.1 Antennas and towers associated with the Radio Systems shall be
connected to the building ground electrode outside the building.

4.8.2 The grounding and bonding of the radio systems and towers shall be
done according to SAES-T-887 and NFPA 780 guidelines.

4.9 Remote Electronic Serving Area Grounding

4.9.1 Remote Electronic Serving Areas as referenced, indicate a small

communications installation like remote repeater/terminal site,
microwave radio repeater, a radio/multiplexer, terminal, or a
combination with or without telephone switches.

4.9.2 The grounding of the Remote Electronic Serving Areas shall comply
with the requirements of this standard, as described in the previous
sections.

4.9.3 For Remote Electronic Serving Areas, the ground resistance of the
ground electrodes at the MGB shall not exceed:
- 3 ohms for a pad-mount over a total of 600 lines and for huts
(enclosed walk-in structure that includes a vault with a controlled
environment) without radio sites
- 5 ohms for pad-mount radio sites
- 2 ohms for radio sites with hut
- 25 ohms for pad-mount up to 600 total lines

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

- 5 ohms for communication sites that are part of other non-

communication facilities or buildings without radio sites

4.10 Lightning Rod Systems

The need for installing a lightning protection system for buildings shall be
determined according to the Risk Assessment Guide, Appendix 1 of the
Lightning Protection Code, NFPA 780 and SAES-P-111.

4.11 Bonding Resistance

The resistance of grounding or bonding conductors between any two points shall
not exceed 0.5 ohms.

5 Installation

Installation criteria such as planning, design, preparation, ground conductor sizing,

routing and terminating shall be in accordance with Standard Drawing AA-036391
(Communications Equipment Grounding for Telecommunications Facilities), and other
referenced and applicable standards and specifications.

6 Testing and Inspection

The ground resistance and single and multiple electrodes shall be measured and tested
in accordance with SAES-T-887. Testing shall be witnessed by PID (Project Inspection
Division). PID shall inspect all Communications facility grounding systems in
accordance with this standard, SAES-T-887, SAES-T-903, SAES-P-111 and other
applicable standards as listed in section 3.

Revision Summary
28 January, 2004 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued
with minor changes.

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

Ground Terminal
A. Short Ground Strap Supplied
by Manufacturer

B. Interconnector Ground Strap

(No. 6 AWG)
A

B C. Long Ground Strap

(No. 6 AWG)

D. Entrance Cable Protector

Ground Bar (ECPGB)

A
No. 1 AWG MGB/FGB
B
D
5 Meters
(17 Feet)
Maximum

C
MGB/FGB
No. 1 AWG

Figure 1 - Entrance Cable Protector Ground Bar (ECPGB)

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Document Responsibility: Communications SAES-T-795
Issue Date: 28 January, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 February, 2009 Communications Facility Grounding Systems

2/0 AWG Primary

Frame Ground Leads

2/0 AWG Cable

To Floor Ground Bar

See Sketch A

6 AWG

2/0 AWG 2 AWG

Sketch A

To Floor Ground Bar

Primary Frame Ground Leads

2/0 AWG
Cable

Vacant Frames
To Floor Ground Bar To Floor Ground Bar

Figure 2 - Electronic Switching Equipment Frame Grounding

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