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In-Building RF Plenum Cable Installations for Wireless Systems

Times Microwave Systems. In-Building RF Plenum Cable Installations for Wireless Systems. Overview. RF Cable Classifications & Requirements Site Considerations Cable and Connector Considerations Installation Testing Site Maintenance. RF Cable Classifications.

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In-Building RF Plenum Cable Installations for Wireless Systems

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  1. Times Microwave Systems In-Building RF Plenum Cable Installationsfor Wireless Systems

  2. Overview • RF Cable Classifications & Requirements • Site Considerations • Cable and Connector Considerations • Installation • Testing • Site Maintenance

  3. RF Cable Classifications • Standard Duty Outdoor Cable (LMR®) • general purpose - can also be installed in conduit • Weatherproof Outdoor Cable LMR® DB) • more severe outdoor conditions – e.g. rooftops • Riser Rated UL listed (LMR® FR) • vertical riser/access shafts - unoccupied building spaces • Plenum Rated UL listed (LMR® LLPL) • can be installed anywhere in buildings

  4. Plenum Cable (LMR-LLPL®) Requirements • May be installed anywhere in a building without the protection of metal conduit • air-handling spaces & air plenums • Classified by NFPA and NEC/CEC (UL/CSA) • Fire-resistant, low smoke cables • LMR LLPL are rated CMP/MPP (UL) and PCC-FT6 (CSA) • Meet the UL910 ‘Steiner Tunnel Test’ • burn length and smoke density are critical

  5. UL910 ‘Steiner Tunnel Test’ • cables are arranged horizontally in the test chamber • suspended over flame source • smoke density & flame travel are measured

  6. Site Considerations • Buildings are not cellular towers; In-building cables must be especially flexible and rugged to withstand installation and maintain their physical & electrical integrity • New buildings • either cable-in-conduit or plenum cable may be viable options • Existing/legacy buildings • plenum cable is likely the only viable option • Building owner may dictate requirements including: • location of equipment • type of cable – owner may arbitrarily require plenum cable to be used for “perceived” safety reasons

  7. Important Cable Selection Criteria • Loss • cable size: larger cables have lower loss, but are more expensive • construction (dielectric, shielding) • Cable Construction is Critical • electrical stability & long term reliability are directly related to cable construction and materials • cable must be sufficiently rugged to ‘survive’ initial installation • Compatible accessories • weatherproofing kits for outdoor/roof installs • ground kits – custom fitting • Low maintenance • cannot afford to have downtime

  8. Cable Comparison Guide LMR-LLPL®Corrugated Air Dielectric Loss Very Good Good Rugged Very Good Fair Installable (no damage) Very Good Poor Long Term Very Good Good Electrical Stability Resistance to Possibility Very Good Poor of Water in Cable? Maintenance Very Good Fair

  9. Connector Selection • Loss • should be less than 0.1 dB up to 1 GHz • High quality & reliable • machined, plated brass, captivated center pins • shouldn’t be the place to try to save money! • Ease of installation in difficult field conditions is critical to long-term reliability • non-solder (EZ) connectors • simple installation tools & accessories • Good selection of connectors • straight, right angle, different interfaces

  10. Installation • Cable • stay within mechanical parameters of the cable during installation • bend radius - avoid sharp bends • do not exceed tensile strength when pulling cable • do not exceed crush strength • protect exposed cable ends prior to connector installation (water/moisture/dirt) • Connectors • follow manufacturer’s recommendations & use manufacturer’s installation tools • use non-solder (EZ) connectors wherever possible

  11. Testing • Dual purpose - initial site approval & establish ‘benchmark’ • Portable RF Test Set • e.g. H-P, Anritsu, Bird • program unit with the correct cable parameters (velocity, loss, etc.) • Insertion loss • verify against requirements & the manufacturer’s values • VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) • Measure of the quality of the installation and connector attachment • Visual Inspection

  12. Site Maintenance(periodic preventative maintenance) • Recheck cable runs against ‘benchmark’ values: • insertion loss • VSWR • Visual Inspection • connections, bends • Outdoor runs • cable jackets • weatherproofing - connections, ground straps

  13. Times Microwave Systems • LMR LLPL® coaxial plenum cable, connectors, tools and accessories are specified in • Available from our network of distributors • Contact Times at 1-800-TMS-COAX

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