Antenna Cabling Job Aid

Transcription

1 Summary This Job Aid covers: COAX Cable and Connector Requirements Connector Installation Cable Attachment Cable Run Installation This Job Aid supports all Installer audiences. COAX Cable and Connector Requirements The following information details the cable and connector model requirements. Installations require one length of approved high-speed, RG-6, High frequency, 75Ohm, Non-Plenum COAX cable depending on the model of the modem. On a dual cable modem one cable length is for the Transmit (TX) path and one is for the Receive (RX) path. The COAX cable used must meet or exceed the specification. Important: All installations require high frequency COAX cable. See cable specification for additional information. This cable type has a maximum bend radius of 3 inches. The cables must not exceed the maximum length of 150 feet ( meters) long and be terminated with F-type compression connectors that are fully weather sealed. Important: All installations require compression weather-sealed connectors. See connector specification for additional information. Important: Never put a 90-degree bend in any cable run. Important: Verify that COAX cable used to all installations has a 100% solid copper center conductor. Copper clad cabling has been proven problematic in installations. Even if the copper clad cabling appears to work, it will often lead to service failures in the future. Use only the COAX cable models from the approved list to ensure a successful installation and a high performing system. Page 1 of 9

2 Cabling Requirements Matrix Component COAX Cable Supports: Example Center Conductor (1): Dielectric (2): Support voltage drops less than 6.7 volts 75 Ohm impedance Solid copper Must support 3.0 GHz IF frequency No 90-degree bends in the cable run Outer Conductor (3): Minimum of 60% braid Transmit and Receive runs combine at TRIA and dual high-frequency grounding block equal a 14AWG ground wire Compression Connectors RG6 linear compression connector type (No crimp connectors) Fully weather sealed Voltage between the Satellite Modem and the TRIA Copper-clad steel center conductors drop excessive voltage and cannot provide the correct voltage to the TRIA IF frequency between the satellite modem and the TRIA Grounding between the antenna and the dual high-frequency grounding block Connectivity between hardware and cable runs Page 2 of 9

3 Connector Installation While COAX compression connectors vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, the process for attaching the connectors are similar. 1. Cut the end of the cable off square with a sharp cutter. 2. Place the coax in the stripper part of the combination tool, with the end flush against the side of the tool or use a separate stripper. Twirl the strip tool around the cable about 5 to 10 turns. Remove the combination or strip tool. 3. Pull off the stripped cable jacket and fold back the braided shield. Leave the layer of foil surrounding the dielectric. Important: Common connector failures are: Removing the foil Braid wire touching the foil Braid wire extending beyond the connector casing Center conductor too short Page 3 of 9

4 (continued) 4. Slide the weather shield and the connector onto the cable until seated. The weather shield is either separate (as shown) or connected to the connector depending on the manufacturer. 5. When inserted properly, the dielectric should be flush with the metal flange inside the connector and the center conductor should extend a little beyond the edge of the connector. 6. Slide the assembled connector into the compression tool. Squeeze the handle until the ring seats all the way into the connector. You should hear or feel a "click" as it pops into position. Remove the coax and connector from the tool. Important: All installations require highspeed (2.2 GHz or higher) weather-sealed connectors. Page 4 of 9

5 Cable Attachment The following information outline the steps used to attach COAX cable to the TRIA, antenna and in-house termination. All critical components must be tightened with a torque wrench because improper torque leads to damaged parts. SurfBeam 2 TRIA Attachment The SurfBeam 2 modem may require one or Intermediate Frequency Link (IFL) connections, for the Transmit (TX) link and for the Receive (RX) link. The COAX cable provides the pathway for this link in the installation. Generally, in the US market, the 1IFL modem requires one COAX connection from the modem to the TRIA s Transmit (TX) port. The Receive (RX) port of the TRIA must be terminated with a 75 Ohm terminator supplied by the installer. Newer VS1100 TRIAs have the RX connector sealed from the factory. In this case, no terminator is required. The 2IFL modem requires two COAX pathways from the modem to the TRIA. Install the Transmit and Receive COAX cables to the TX and RX ports on the TRIA, respectively. Important: Do not over tighten the cable connectors to the TRIA; this will damage the TRIA connectors. It is recommended to use a Torque wrench to tighten the COAX connectors on the TRIA to 30 in-lbs (inch-pounds). Page 5 of 9

6 Antenna Cable Attachment After the cable is prepared, attach the service loop at the back of the Boom arm. Attach the cables to the Mount Tube with the first tie-wrap three inches from the Canister Assembly and Mount Bracket attach points, but do not attach the connectors to the TRIA. Handle the pole mount attachment in a similar manner; attaching the cable down the pole. Outside Wall Cable Attachment 1. Starting from the Mount Bracket, attach the cables to the surface using a dual cable clip every 24 to 30 inches. 2. Cut the cable at the point where the cable will connect with the Dual Ground Block. Make sure to re-label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cables and red electrical tape on the Receive cables on dual cable installations. Attach a compression connector on each cable end coming from the antenna. Use these connectors to attach the cables to the Dual Ground Block. 3. Form a drip-loop in the on either side of the Dual Ground Block and attach the loops to the building with dual cable clips. Make sure that the drip loops allow water to flow away from the Dual Ground Block. 4. About a foot below the point of entry stop attaching the cable to the wall to allow the cable to curve gently into the entry hole, avoiding a 90-degree bend. 5. Leave modem end of the cable without connectors. Make sure to re-label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable and red electrical tape on the Receive cable. After pushing the cable into the building, attach a compression connector on each cable end. Important Never put a 90-degree bend in any cable run. Important: Weather-proof the installation! Use silicon weather sealant to seal the hole in the wall surface. Page 6 of 9

7 Point-of-Entry Termination Important: A standard installation supports one exterior wall penetration and one interior wall/floor Point-of-Entry penetration. Dual Pass-through Wall Plate Point of Entry 1. Make sure the cable run through the wall does not cause a bend or crimp in the cable. 2. At the inside wall plate location, pull the cables through the hole in the sheet rock and push each cable through a hole in the Pass-through Dual Wall Plate*, allowing enough cable length to reach the Modem installation location. 3. Secure the Pass-through Dual Wall Plate per manufacturer instructions and use a permanent marker to label the Dual Wall Plate pass-through holes as Transmit (TX) and Receive (RX). 4. At the Modem installation location, re-label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable and red electrical tape on the Receive cable and attach a compression connector on each cable end Dual Connector Wall Plate Point of Entry 1. Cut the COAX cable so that no more than three inches of cable protrudes from the wall. If necessary, re-label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable and red electrical tape on the Receive cable and attach a compression connector on each cable end. 2. Use a permanent marker to label the wall plate front connectors as Transmit (TX) and Receive (RX). Secure the cables to the wall plate back connectors making sure that the Transmit cable attaches to the Transmit connector and the Receive cable attaches to the Receive connector. 3. Carefully push cables into the wall and secure the wall plate per manufacturer instructions. If the cables are the correct length, they will form an arc inside the wall. Avoiding long cables prevents cable bends over the maximum bend radius. 4. Measure the distance between the wall plate and the Modem location. Cut an appropriate length of COAX cable to create an extension cable, label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable and red electrical tape on the Receive cable and attach a compression connector on all four cable-ends. Page 7 of 9

8 Alternate Point of Entry Occasionally a customer requests an installation that requires the COAX cable run through a crawl space or basement, then through the floor. 1. After running the cable through the crawl space or basement, drill a hole through the floor into the space underneath. This hole located as close to the wall as possible. 2. If the floor has carpet, pull the carpet away from the drilling to avoid damage and push the carpet back against the cable when the installation is complete. If the is bare, a feed-through bushing is used to finish the floor installation. 3. Seal the opening between the room and the crawl space or basement by spraying a little expandable insulating foam into the hole or bushing after the installation is complete. 4. If using a direct cable run, allow enough cable length from the floor entry to the Modem Installation, label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable and red electrical tape on the Receive cable and attach a compression connector on each cable end. 5. If using extension cables, leave only three inches of cable above the bushing or floor entry, label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable and red electrical tape on the Receive cable and attach a compression connector on each cable. Next, attach a high-frequency female-to-female adapter on each connector. Measure the distance between the wall plate and the Modem location. Cut an appropriate length of COAX cable to create an extension cable, label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable and red electrical tape on the Receive cable and attach a compression connector on all four cable-ends. Page 8 of 9

9 Cable Run Installation Prepare Cable Point-of-Entry: Determine the location of the Dual Connector or pass-through Wall Plate or pass-through bushing on the inside wall or floor surface, and the entry hole on the outside wall surface, then drill the appropriate holes. Install the ground block within 20 feet of the building ground, as close as possible to point-of-entry, and on either the inside or outside of the building surface. Use a Dual pass-through bushing and/or silicone sealant on the outside surface entry hole. No 90-degree cable bends. 1. Attach cables to the wall surface from the Mount Bracket to the entry hole Dual Cable Clips every 24 to 30 inches or as necessary for a neat installation. Important: Use only dual or single cable clips to attach cable, other types may damage the cable. 2. Label the cable ends using green electrical tape on the Transmit cable path and red electrical tape on the Receive cable path. 3. Install a dual high-frequency grounding block in the cable run 4. Form a half or whole drip loop about a foot away from the point of-entry 5. Install Ground Cable and attach it to the ground point 6. Weatherproof all penetrations. Example Page 9 of 9