atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Secondary protection question

If I may tap your knowledge regarding secondary surge protection for telecom lines.

Does the protector have to be physically close to the equipment? According to UL497A, it is supposed to be as close to the protected equipment as possible, but do you have any real world experience?

The job requires protection for the following:
1 full T1 line (voice&data)
1 2-wire 768K SDSL line (overflow and backup to T1)
6 analog telco lines (2 used by fax machines, 2 emergency lines, 1 used by the site's computer people for modem dial-in to routers and who knows what else, 1 for what I was told was "general modem access")
1 alarm circuit

I figure I'll use an 8-line CO protector, a two-port T1 protector and a screw terminal protector for the alarm circuit.
The equipment room is approx. 150ft away from the MPOE, and has absolutely no space for anything else, not even for something as slender as these protectors. There is plenty of space in a pull box in a basement right next to the MPOE though, which houses a couple of 66 convenience blocks. I'd like to just mount the protectors there, there's also a ground block mounted in that cabinet, which is another plus.

1) Can I use the T1 protector for the SDSL circuit? Or should I wire through the CO protector? I notice the clamping voltages for T1 are much smaller than for analog, I wonder whether this will hinder the SDSL signaling (I've no idea what frequencies/voltages are used for SDSL).

2) Is that distance (150ft) too long for the protectors to be away from the equipment?

Thanks in advance,
Perry

While I prefer to be within five feet and will make every effort to be there. It looks like you are stuck with your location so that may be a no brainer.

As for the T1 protection on SDSL I would not do that. T1 protection for the T1 and C.O. protection for the SDSL.

The 08110 wont matter as far as the 150 feet issue but the T1 you might buy the inline version so you can be close to the CPE.

Then again I may be wrong. I am sure a grounding and bonding pro will chime in soon.

Thanks, will take this info into account.