ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

SMARTop™ Tower Top Amplifier System

Grounding Instructions
Content Page

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1
Revision History ...................................................................... 1
List of Changes ...................................................................... 1
Trademark Information ................................................................. 1
Admonishments ...................................................................... 2
FCC Compliance Statement .............................................................. 2
Certification: UL/ETL/CSA Listed ........................................................... 2
1 BUILT-IN LIGHTNING PROTECTION ......................................................... 3
2 GROUNDING PROCEDURES .............................................................. 5
2.1 Grounding the MHU .............................................................. 5
2.2 Grounding the Base Unit ........................................................... 6
3 CUSTOMER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE .................................................. 8

INTRODUCTION

Installation of a tower top amplifier system requires proper grounding of the entire system,
starting with the tower. Correct grounding provides a path through which an electrical charge
(such as that caused by lightning) can dissipate its energy safely into the earth. Before
installing the SMARTop Tower Top Amplifier system ensure that the tower has been
constructed following appropriate grounding codes and practices. These practices include
using suitable ground rings which tie all grounds to the same point.

Revision History

ISSUE DATE REASON FOR CHANGE

Issue 1 09/99 Original

List of Changes

PAGE IDENTIFIER DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE

Original

Trademark Information

ADC and ADC Telecommunications are registered trademarks of ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
SMARTop is a registered trademark of ADC Solitra.

1069524 Rev A Page 1

© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

Admonishments

Important safety admonishments are used throughout this manual to warn of possible hazards
to persons or equipment. An admonishment identifies a possible hazard and then explains what
may happen if the hazard is not avoided. The admonishments — in the form of Dangers,
Warnings, and Cautions — must be followed at all times. These warnings are flagged by use of
the triangular alert icon (seen below), and are listed in descending order of severity of injury or
damage and likelihood of occurrence.

Danger: Danger is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that will cause severe personal
injury, death, or substantial property damage if the hazard is not avoided.

Warning: Warning is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that can cause severe personal
injury, death, or substantial property damage if the hazard is not avoided.

Caution: Caution is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that will or can cause minor
personal injury or property damage if the hazard is not avoided.

FCC Compliance Statement

Class B
SMARTop products comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions; (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

Warning: This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference to radio
communications. It has been tested and found to comply with limits for a Class B digital device
pursuant to Subpart A of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference when operated in a residential environment. If
interference to TV and radio reception does occur relocate or reorient the antenna of the
affected radio or TV.
This equipment does not exceed Class B limits for radio emission for digital apparatus, set out
in the radio interference regulation of the authorization methods of Industry Canada.

This product conforms to all applicable standards of 21 CFR 1040.

Certification: UL/ETL/CSA Listed

SMARTop products have been tested and found to comply with the requirements of UL 1419.

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© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
 ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

1 BUILT-IN LIGHTNING PROTECTION

Adequate lightning protection is necessary to protect a system against electrical spikes that
may damage sensitive components. The SMARTop Tower Top Amplifier lightning protection
system has been designed to provide the highest quality and durability available in the
marketplace today. The SMARTop Masthead Unit (MHU) and Base Unit (BU) have sturdy
lightning protection built into each unit.

The SMARTop MHU houses a quarter wave lightning arrestor at the Antenna port to protect
against undesired voltage surges from the antenna. The MHU also contains a gas tube
lightning arrestor at the BTS port to shield the unit against high voltage surges from the base
station. The SMARTop MHU body is cast from a solid block of aluminum, allowing heat
from a high voltage surge to dissipate over a broad surface area, further reducing the likelihood
of damage to the system.

The SMARTop Base Unit contains a gas tube lightning arrestor at the MHU port as protection
from surges at the tower. A quarter wave lightning arrestor is also located at the BTS port to
guard the BU from surges within the base station.

The SMARTop MHU and BU have been tested per General Principles IEC-1312-1 Publication
with test levels defined by IEC-1000-4-5. The SMARTop equipment passed these requirements.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the SMARTop built-in lightning protection and grounding
locations.

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© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

MASTHEAD UNIT
QUARTER WAVE
LIGHTNING
AMU
(OPTIONAL)
PROTECTION
DIRECTIONAL
COUPLER

GROUNDING CABLE
MHU TO SITE GROUND RX
FILTER
TX

RF-
SWITCH
CONTROL BY -PASS

BOARD
LNA1 LNA2

RF-
SWITCH
POWER
SUPPLY
RX TX
FILTER

SURGE
ARRESTOR

BTS ANT

BU/ACU
RF-signals/DC-feed
Base
Station

SURGE
ARRESTOR

GROUNDING CONTROL
BOARD
CABLE TO SITE BASE
GROUND UNIT

POWER
SUPPLY QUARTER WAVE
LIGHTNING
PROTECTION

BTS RF-connection

Figure 1. SMARTop Built-In Lightning Protection and Grounding Locations

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© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
 ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

2 GROUNDING PROCEDURES
Proper grounding of the SMARTop MHU and BU is important to protect the system against
voltage surges. A grounding kit is provided for both the MHU and BU, including a grounding
cable, M8 screw(s) and star washers for each unit (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. SMARTop Grounding Kit

2.1 Grounding the MHU

To ground the MHU attach one end of the supplied grounding cable to the MHU and the other
end to site ground. Figure 3 shows the proper assembly sequence.

Figure 3. MHU Grounding Cable Assembly Sequence

Note: The MHU may have two screw holes for grounding. In this case, a double-hole
lug grounding cable is provided. Repeat steps 1-4 for the second grounding screw.
1. Place a star washer (supplied) over the screw hole located on the side of the MHU.
2. Align the one-hole compression lug on one end of the grounding cable over the star washer.
3. Place a second star washer (supplied) over the lug.

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© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

4. Insert an M8 screw (supplied), tightening securely until the bottom star washer is slightly
embedded into the body of the MHU. Figure 4 shows the grounding cable properly
assembled to the MHU.

Figure 4. Grounding Cable Assembled to MHU

5. If desired, the grounding cable can be trimmed to appropriate length for the specific
installation, and the one-hole compression lug to the site ground connection can be
replaced with a connection preferred by the customer.

6. Connect the free end of the grounding cable into the proper site ground using a reliable
joint. An exothermic joint or weld bond provides the most reliable connection. A nut and
hex-head cap screw with star washers also offers an acceptable connection. If no bare
ground wire is present from site ground, the connection can also be made to the tower. Be
sure the tower surface is free from paint, rust, or other impediments.

2.2 Grounding the Base Unit

To ground the Base Unit attach one end of the supplied grounding cable to the BU and the
other end to site ground. Figure 5 shows the proper assembly sequence.

Figure 5. Base Unit Grounding Cable Assembly Sequence

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© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
 ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

Note: The BU may have two screw holes for grounding. In this case, a double-lug
grounding cable is provided. Repeat steps 1-4 for the second grounding screw.

1. Place a star washer (supplied) over the screw hole located on the side of the BU.

2. Align the one-hole compression lug on one end of the grounding cable over the star washer.

3. Insert an M8 screw (supplied), tightening securely until the bottom star washer is slightly
embedded into the body of the BU. Figure 6 shows the grounding cable properly assembled
to the BU.

Figure 6. Grounding Cable Assembled to Base Unit

4. If desired, the grounding cable can be trimmed to appropriate length for the specific
installation, and the one-hole compression lug to the site ground connection can be
replaced with a connection preferred by the customer.

5. Connect the free end of the grounding cable into the proper site ground using a reliable
joint. An exothermic joint or weld bond provides the most reliable connection. A nut and
hex-head cap screw with star washers also offers an acceptable connection. If no bare
ground wire is present from site ground, the connection can also be made to the tower. Be
sure the tower surface is free from paint, rust, or other impediments.

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© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
ADCP-75-104 • Issue 1 • September 1999

3 CUSTOMER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

For customers wanting information on ADC products or help in using them, ADC offers the
services listed below. To obtain any of these services by telephone, first dial the central ADC
telephone number, then dial the extension provided below.

The central number for calls originating in the U.S.A. or Canada is 1-800-366-3891. For calls
originating outside the U.S.A. or Canada, dial country code “1” then dial 612-946-3000.

Sales Assistance • Quotation Proposals

Extension 3000 • Ordering and Delivery
• General Product Information
Systems Integration • Complete Solutions (from Concept to Installation)
Extension 3000 • Network Design and Integration Testing
• System Turn-Up and Testing
• Network Monitoring (Upstream or Downstream)
• Power Monitoring and Remote Surveillance
• Service/Maintenance Agreements
• Systems Operation
BCG Technical Assistance Center • Technical Information
Extension 3475 • System/Network Configuration
E-Mail: technical@adc.com • Product Specification and Application
• Training (Product-Specific)
• Installation and Operation Assistance
• Troubleshooting and Repair
Product Return Department • ADC Return Authorization number and instructions
Extension 3748 must be obtained before returning products.
E-Mail: repair&return@adc.com

Product information may also be obtained using the ADC web site at www.adc.com or by
writing ADC Telecommunications, Inc., P.O. Box 1101, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1101, U.S.A.

Contents herein are current as of the date of publication. ADC reserves the right to change the contents without prior notice. In no
event shall ADC be liable for any damages resulting from loss of data, loss of use, or loss of profits and ADC further
disclaims any and all liability for indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other similar damages. This disclaimer of
liability applies to all products, publications and services during and after the warranty period.
This publication may be verified at any time by contacting ADC’s Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-366-3891, extension 3475
(in U.S.A. or Canada) or 612-946-3000 (outside U.S.A. and Canada), or by writing to ADC Telecommunications, Inc., Attn:
Technical Assistance Center, Mail Station #71, P.O. Box 1101, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1101, U.S.A.

© 1999, ADC Telecommunications, Inc.

All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S.A.

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