sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Surge Protection, UPS

I have a TowerMAX 8 COM/DATA and a TowerMax CO/8-110 to protect the power going into a system, the CO lines, and the ethernet going into the callpilot. Nice and simple. What complicates matters is the analog lines. I have a few analog lines, some for fax machines, and some for emergency voice. There are two options I can think of without protecting all of the digital extensions:

First option is I run the CO lines through the surge protector first thing, thereby protecting all phone wires in the building. I don't like this, because if there is a device such as a fax machine that is connected to an analog line and an unprotected power outlet, the system is comprimised. This option will work if the customer makes sure he puts surge protectors of the same brand on anything plugged into a phone line and power.

The second option is to protect the CO lines right before they enter they enter the KSU, but then I would have protected and unprotected wires sharing cables and 66 blocks, and that can't be good, so it's back to option 1.

What is the proper way to do this?

Also, do you guys usually install a UPS? If so, what would you recommend for a Norstar MICS, Callpilot 100, and 10 extensions?

Thanks,
Nate

I always run all CO pairs through the protector, helps to protect their other equipment as well. When I put in power failure jacks, they do not go through the protector.
Steph

insurance policy on equipment & ups for 15 min backup.

Powerware is the way to go for UPS. Real solid and reliable. email me if you need more info. They also make modular surge protectors to protect CO and Data lines.

The LEC provides adequate protection to keep people from getting fried in most cases.

If you want to go COMPLETELY OVERBOARD protecting your equipment, you could utilize a gas type lighting protector with a break-over voltage of 230V for the analog devices. The carbon type protection just doesn't act quickly enough to protect your electronics. The digital telephone sets can be protected with gas cartridges as well, but use a model with a break-over voltage of 37V, the 230V models will NOT save your phones.

You'll have to install the protection at each end of every station cable for maximum effect. Every protector will need to be bonded to a cold-water water ground with a minimum #10AWG solid copper wire. While you're running the ground wires, try to follow the paths of the station cables to minimize ground loops.

On second thought, TDS has a GREAT idea! Don't spend more $$$ protecting the system, than you spent on the system.

Have fun with your project.


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BCM Guy
www.BCMguy.com
Learn more about the Nortel Networks Business Communications Manager HERE !

I already have the equipment stated above, so I won't be using a different brand. I think protecting the CO lines right where they enter the KSU and leaving analog unprotected is the safest thing to do. It would protect the system against surges, but in the event of a lightning strike, I think a surge could move from an unprotected pair to a protected pair within the same cable, and cause damage to the system. I could get the module that protects 25 digital station lines. I will leave it up to the customer whether or not he wants the added expense.

Also, it's hard to find details on exactly what I need to do to qualify for the protected equipment warranty. Are these warranties usually worth pursuing, or are they for the naive?

Hey squeakygeek, there is really no NEED to implement any of the devices that I mentioned (it was really meant to be taken tongue in cheek, but I think that may have been missed).

My point was that it can be very easy to get caught up in protecting a device that costs less than the protection itself. You need to figure out where to draw the line (maybe you DO want lightning protection on your inside wiring, but that would not be the norm).

TDS nailed it! The business owner's insurance policy will typically cover the loss. A good working relationship with a local vendor will ensure that the system is not down more than a few hours (even if it is a TOTAL loss). This is part of the VALUE you get from a vendor. And, its one of the ways a business ends up paying MORE, in the long run, if they install the system themself. Its not a matter of CAN they do it (of course they can). Its a matter of WHO do they turn to when something doesn't work. Vendors feel like they OWE their customers something, for doing business with them. When your system goes down, who is going to CARE enough to get you back up quickly? Ultimately you'll find help. But, it might be two days later (or more), paying FULL price for equipment.

I think it is just fine that you are doing this yourself. But, the odds are that one day your friends will have an issue that needs to be fixed promptly, and they will have to pay. It's not uncommon for vendors to INCLUDE one year parts and labor (professional labor) in the price of a new system. Thats why you "save money" on eBay (actually just spend less up front).

I really do wish you success with your install. If a Norstar user hates their system, that can hurt me and the other vendors. They are EXCELLENT systems when installed and serviced properly.


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BCM Guy
www.BCMguy.com
Learn more about the Nortel Networks Business Communications Manager HERE !

No problem, I know I can be hard to read sometimes. Squeakygeek might be better off "overdoing" the protection in his case (no service spares, or crash kits on his shelf).


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BCM Guy
www.BCMguy.com
Learn more about the Nortel Networks Business Communications Manager HERE !

I hope he also realizes that no lightening protection made can save a system from a direct strike.