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AN-30e
user manual
70-00035-01
Proprietary Redline Communications © 2004
November
16,
2004
Page 13 of 103
1.7 Lightning
Protection
WARNING: The following notes are general recommendations for the system. The
wireless equipment should be installed by a qualified professional installer and must
follow local and national codes for electrical grounding and safety. Failure to meet
safety requirements and/or use of non-standard practices and procedures could result
in personal injury and damage to equipment. A direct lightning strike may cause
serious damage even if these guidelines are followed.
All outdoor wireless equipment is susceptible to lightning damage from a direct hit or
induced current from a near strike. Lightning protection and grounding practices in
local and national electrical codes serve to minimize equipment damage, service
outages, and serious injury. Reasons for lightning damage are summarized as:
- Poorly grounded tower/antenna sites that can conduct high lightning strike energy
into equipment.
- Lack of properly installed lightning protection equipment that can cause
equipment failures from lightning induced currents.
A lighting protection system provides a means by which the energy may enter earth
without passing through and damaging parts of a structure. A lightning protection
system does not prevent lightning from striking; it provides a means for controlling it
and preventing damage by providing a low resistance path for the discharge of energy
to travel safely to ground. Improperly grounded connections are also a source of noise
that can cause sensitive equipment to malfunction.
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 IF cable
shield and center conductor can be directed safely to ground by using a lightning
arrestor in series with the IF 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 IF 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 terminal must be connected to the same
grounding system as the radio and antenna lightning protectors.
- The ground connection on the back of the terminal should be connected to the
same ground for the building.