Surge Protection for Wireless Installations

OVERVIEW

Today’s increased reliance on very sensitive electronics makes surge protection an important topic for Wireless Radio Communication. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety study found that $26 billion dollars was lost due to non-lightning power surges. In addition, there are about 25 million lightning strikes in the US each year that cause between $650M to $1B in losses according to the Insurance Information Institute, State Farm©.

This article discusses the various types of Wireless Radio Communication configurations to help you develop a comprehensive surge mitigation strategy. Each section will provide a recommendation on exactly which protector to use for your equipment and where to install these Surge Protection Devices for Wireless Radio Communication.

Surge Threats

The electronic equipment to build out wireless networks, include Conventional Cell Towers, Remote Radio Head (RRH) units at the top of cell towers, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and Small Cell 5G deployments that are extremely susceptible to the destruction caused by lighting strikes and other sources of electrical surges. It is important to properly protect this sensitive electronic equipment with surge protection.

The use of surge protection on radio and television equipment is also covered within the NEC. Article 810.6, Antenna Lead-In Protectors, requires a UL 497E Listed surge protector.

Recommended SPDs for Emergency Power

Equipment	System	Surge Protector Model #
Automatic Transfer Switch Line Side	120/208 V ac	MDS600E-120Y
Automatic Transfer Switch Load Side	120/208 V ac	MS100-120Y
Automatic Transfer Switch Line Side Genset	120/208 V ac	MS200-120Y
Genset Line Side	120/208 V ac	M50-120Y-A
Genset Relay Starter	24 V dc	DS220S-24DC
Genset Battery Charge Controller	120 V ac	DS240S-120/G

Recommended SPDs for Base Station

Equipment	System	Surge Protector Model #
Main Panel	120/208 V ac	MS100-120Y
AC input	120/208 V ac	DAC104US-120Y
HVAC	120/208 V ac	DAC104US-120Y
DC-DC Converter	400 V dc	DS240S-350DC
DC Power Output	48 V dc	DS230S-48DC
Battery Backup	48 V dc	DS230S-48DC
Baseband Unit	Ethernet Ports	MJ8-C6A
Baseband Unit	RS-485	DLA-12D3
Network Switch	Ethernet	MJ8-C6A