TECH NOTE

Primary Protection Guidelines for VDSL and Higher

Five pin protection modules are commonly used in the telecom network, mated to industry standard protector connection blocks (five pin blocks). This standardized form allows the user to choose protectors from a handful of suppliers, and ensures that any replacement product will fit and provide essential personnel and fire hazard protection. Beyond providing personnel protection (as regulated by the National Electric Code), the network performance of the module can vary greatly. Any new car you buy will pass minimum standards, but whats under the hood and how all that power gets to the ground isnt the same between a Corvette and a Kia. The selection of protector modules and five pin protector blocks is no different.

Key Characteristics of Protector Modules

DC Breakdown - describes when the protector will react (by temporarily shorting the line to ground) during slow transients, such as AC power line faults and induced AC noise. The minimum is chosen to make sure the protector doesnt clip the voltages that are supposed to be there (battery, ringing, and data). The lower the maximum, the less gets through to the other side. Impulse Breakdown states the worse case let-through voltage during fast events such as lightning, and lower is better. Impulse Surge Life this says how big a lightning hit the protector can handle, and how many times it can handle it. Capacitance/Capacitive Imbalance this gives a rough idea how well the protector will pass high speed signals; less capacitance means less unwanted filtering as the bit rates goes up. Insertion Loss this says exactly how much signal power the protector will absorb, the smaller the number the better. Series Resistance when you need over-current (sneak current) protection, the lower the series resistance, the lower the insertion loss. Never use old style heat coils, the series inductance will choke your high speed signals. Value simply put, get the best protection you can for your money.

Guidelines for High Speed Telecom Networks

DC Breakdown Ideal Value Min 265 Volts Max 500 Volts <800 Volts 10 Amp surge: 1500 hits 300 Amp surge: 50 hits <10pF <0.4dB up to 100MHz <4 ohms each side (<8 ohms total loop) Reason Why 52Vdc battery + 110Vac ring + signal + noise margin xDSL equipment is rated for 600V exposure, giving 100V safety margin xDSL equipment is rated for up to 1000V exposure to lightning hits, with 200V safety margin typical lighting hit induced on the network needed for any outdoor enclosure or low pair count (25 pairs or less) applications important for high speed signals, especially VDSL and higher Category 5 ratings, should be invisible to VDSL and Ethernet Final Mile signals ensures <0.5dB up to 30MHz, <1.0dB for anything up to Category 5 when sneak current protectors are needed

Impulse Breakdown Impulse Surge Life

Capacitance Insertion Loss Series Resistance

LEA Networks

http://www.lea-networks.com/us

847.673.1853

LEA Networks ST5-G Balanced Gas Tube Technology Protectors

Suggested housing color for Triple Play, VDSL, or EFM is Violet or Blue
Ideal Value Min 265 Volts Max 500 Volts <800 Volts 10 Amp/1500x 300 Amp/50x <10pF <0.4dB up to 100MHz <4 ohms each side (<8 ohms total loop) ST5-G Ratings 265V 500V <750 Volts 1500x min 100x min <5pF <0.4dB up to 100MHz <3 ohms each side (<6 ohms total loop) Notes

DC Breakdown Impulse Breakdown Impulse Surge Life Capacitance Insertion Loss Series Resistance

Gives a good safety margin to protect equipment Independently tested by Telcordia Labs Independently tested by Telcordia Labs Typically measures 2-3pF *Tested to and complies with Telcordia 100MHz Network requirements *ST5-G with sneak current is tested to and complies with Telcordia 100MHz requirements

*Telcordia GR-974-CORE, Generic Requirements for Telecommunications Line Protector Units (TLPUs) is the current RBOC specification. Its 126 pages long, and covers everything from pin platings to transmission to 10,000 Amp lightning surge testing. The ST5-G series meets or exceeds all of it.

Value and Build Quality

LEA Networks ST5-G series modules were designed from the ground up for high speed data and high current surge handling. Some suppliers offer standard and premium protectors, but we only have one and it meets everything needed for the latest generation of high speed telecom lines, with room left over for bandwidth growth. LEA Networks uses three element balanced gas discharge tubes from the worlds largest and most established supplier. The tube we use is a special part designed for us to meet all the requirements we asked for. Every gas tube is mechanically crimped and then soldered into solid brass terminals. No springs or clips or loose connections inside.

LEA Networks ST5-G Insertion Loss

Standard Module Max

Over Current Module Max ST5-G (Std)

Loss in dB

ST5-GR (over current)

0.5

0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Frequency in MHz 70 80 90 100

LEA Networks

http://www.lea-networks.com/us

847.673.1853