Fiber optic cable shield bond system

A fiber optic cable shield bond system for use with a fiber optic cable having fiber optic conductors axially located in the cable, a protective jacket enveloping the cable, and a conductive shield disposed intermediate the fiber optic conductors and the protective jacket, the system comprising:

• a rigid, electrically conductive bond plate including first and second end portions, a middle portion disposed longitudinally therebetween, and a mounting segment extending from the second end portion, the middle portion defining at least one threaded opening and an unthreaded guide hole;
• a harness assembly including a electrically conductive flexible cable and a electrically conductive, substantially rigid wire, the flexible cable and rigid wire each having oppositely disposed first and second end portions, the first end portion of the flexible cable being mounted to the mounting segment of the bond plate, the second end portion of the flexible cable being mounted to the first end portion of the rigid wire, the second end portion of the wire being adapted for mounting to the ground point
• at least one grounding screw, a grounding screw being threadable with each of the threaded openings, each grounding screw including a driving head, a threaded shank axially extending from said head and terminating in a cutting edge adapted for piercing the protective jacket of the cable and making electrical contact with the conductive shield of the cable;
• and
• at least one hose clamp adapted for mounting one of the end portions of the bond plate to the fiber optic cable.

A method of implementing a ground connection between a ground point and a fiber optic cable having axially positioned fiber optic conductors, a protective jacket enveloping the cable, and a conductive shield disposed intermediate the fiber optic conductors and the protective jacket, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a rigid, electrically conductive bond plate adjacent the protective jacket of the cable, the bond plate having first and second end portions and a middle portion disposed longitudinally therebetween, the middle portion defining a plurality of threaded openings and an unthreaded guide hole, a grounding screw being threadably mounted in each of the threaded openings, each grounding screw having a distal tip forming a cutting edge;
• clamping at least one of the end portions of the bond plate to the cable with a hose clamp;
• tightening each grounding screws until it penetrates the protective jacket of the cable and makes electrical contact with the cable shield;
• and
• electrically connecting the bond plate to the ground point.