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Appendix B
L
IGHTNING
P
ROTECTION
O
PTION
B.1
General
The first line of protection against the effects of lightning-induced surge events involves
positioning the antenna in a “lightning-protected zone” as far as is possible. In practice,
this means ensuring that there is at least one other earth-bonded structure located in
the same rooftop area (e.g. another antenna, or a lightning rod) that reaches
significantly higher than the top of the GPS antenna. The GPS Antenna should then be
mounted so that it lies within a 45-degree angle from the top of the other earth-bonded
structure. The GPS antenna mount itself should also be securely bonded directly to the
building protection earth – and
not
connected via any of the other earthed structures.
However, this will
not
provide immunity from damage caused by a direct lightening
strike, or voltages induced in the antenna lead-in cable due to side flashes or induction.
All Tekron antenna installations should follow the guidelines above – regardless
of whether a separate lightning protection device is to be fitted to the antenna
lead-in cable.
In areas with a low incidence of electrical storms, careful attention to antenna
positioning and earth connections may be all the protection deemed necessary. The
antenna lightning protection kit LPK01 affords additional security through the use of an
impulse suppressor installed in the antenna lead-in coax cable. In the event of a
lightning-derived high voltage surge occurring on the coaxial cable, the impulse
suppressor activates, short-circuiting the cable directly to the protection ground.
While the LP kit provides a high degree of protection, there is no guarantee of
protection against all surge related events, including a direct lightning strike to
the antenna. Careful antenna positioning is strongly advised!
The performance of the antenna system under normal (non-surge) conditions is virtually
unaffected by the introduction of a correctly installed EMP Protector.
B.2
LPK01 Kit Contents
Quantity Description
1
Polyphasor DGXZ+06NFNF-A Impulse Suppressor
2
N-type Male Crimp Style Coaxial cable connector set to match antenna cable
1
Crimp Tool to match the above connectors (RG59)
1
Roll Self-amalgamating Insulation tape