98-175666-C
E-1
Appendix E
Grounding and RF protection
E
E.1 Introduction
E.1.1 Reasons for grounding
Grounding the SAILOR XTR GX-R2 system is required for at least two reasons:
• Safety: Lightning protection of persons and equipment.
• Protection: ESD (Electro Static Discharge) protection of equipment.
E.1.2 Safety
First of all grounding of the system is required for safety reasons. In the event of a
lightning strike at the ADU a proper grounding of the system will provide a low
resistance path to divert the strike discharge to seawater.
E.1.3 ESD Protection
The ESD protection circuits in the BDU rely on proper grounding of the system in order
to work properly. Otherwise sensitive circuits within the BDU might be damaged due
to ESD when you are handling the equipment.
E.1.4 RF interference
Interference induced from nearby high-power RF transmitters might cause system
failures and in extreme cases permanent damage to the SAILOR XTR GX-R2 equipment.
If there are problems with interference from HF transmitters, it is advisable to mount
ferrite clamps on the coax cable in order to provide suppression of induced RF. The
ferrites will have no effect on the differential-mode signals but increases the
impedance in relation to common-mode RFI.
Recommendations
Use 1-5 pcs. hinged clamp cores (e.g. the RFC or SFC series from Kitagawa) mounted
on the ADU cable near the ADU.
