General
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A good tower grounding system disperses most of the surge energy from a tower strike away
from the building and equipment. The remaining energy on the RF cable shield and center
conductor can be directed safely to ground by using a lightning arrestor in series with the RF
cable.
To limit the equipment damage due to a lightning strike, the following practices are
recommended for the wireless system:
- Provide direct grounding from the antenna mounting bracket, the radio and antenna and
the lightning arrestors to the same ground point at the base of the tower or a ground bus on
the building. Use the grounding screws on the antenna bracket and the radio and antenna for
terminating the ground wires.
- Install one RF lightning protector between the radio and antenna in series with the RF
cable.
- A lightning arrestor in series with the RF cable at the point of entry to the building.
- Install a lightning arrestor in series with the IF cable at the transceiver on the tower/mast.
- The AC wall outlet ground for the MacroMAX terminal must be connected to the same
grounding system as the radio and antenna lightning protectors.
