9
Antenna Best Practices
Do
Don’t
Mount the antenna outside as high as possible,
preferably above the roof or other objects.
Mount the antenna underground, in a dry well, or
inside a canned lift station.
Mount the antenna above all metal surfaces close
to the installation.
Mount the antenna horizontally or bend the antenna
whip.
Coil excess coaxial in circles of 5–7 inches in
diameter. Pinching or tight bends in the coaxial can
restrict the high frequency/low power radio signal
path in much the same way water flow is restricted
through a tight bend in a hose.
Mount the antenna inside a metal control cabinet.
Even fiberglass cabinets degrade the signal.
Ensure that the weight of the cable does not
damage the antenna base. There should be enough
slack in the cable so it does not rest or touch the top
surface of the mounting bracket.
Mount the antenna on the side of a metal cabinet
or adjacent to a tank. Metal surfaces will reflect
the radio signal, preventing it from traveling in all
directions.
Incorporate a drip loop when installing the cable to
prevent water from penetrating into the building or
enclosure.
Cut, lengthen, or shorten the coaxial cable.
Mission can supply antenna extension cables and
connectors up to 50 feet. For lengths above this
limit, another RTU mounting location should be
considered.
Wiring Best Practices
• Signal cables should not run parallel with high voltage AC wires (load conductors).
• Where signal wires and load conductors must cross, do so at right angles.
• High voltage should not enter the Mission RTU. Mount the supplied transformer outside the Mission
enclosure.
• Lay wires in wire trays with the excess near terminations. Replace wire race covers
• Cables used for digital and analog inputs should be 18 to 22 gauge, shielded, twisted pair wire with the
shield connected to ground at the RTU and not on the other end of the cable (to prevent ground loop
current).
• MOVs can be installed across AC contactor coil terminals to shunt voltage spikes away from the RTU
inputs and other electronics in the panel. Voltage spikes can be caused by coils de-energizing. The
included MOVs are rated for 120 V circuits and will suppress excess voltage above 150 V. These parts
are application dependent. They have a finite lifespan and will need to be replaced over time.
Warning:
Follow requirements for field wiring installation and grounding as
described in NEC and the local/state electrical codes.
