LDG SP-200 Surge Protector 200 Watts
Congratulations on selecting the LDG
Electronics SP-200! The SP-200, when installed
correctly, protects coax feedlines from surges
exceeding 230V, such as caused by nearby
lightning strikes and static build-up. The SP-200
employs a gas-discharge tube that arcs-over when
230VDC is exceeded between the RF center pin
and shield connections.
FEATURES:
- Two SO-239 coax connectors
- 50 ohm characteristic impedance
- Ring terminal for ground connection
- Gas Discharge Tube technology
- 230V DC discharge voltage ±15%
- DC - 1,500 MHz operation
- VSWR less than 1.1:1
- Insertion Loss < 0.1 dB
- 200W maximum power capacity
- Max 1000V surge (1x 40 ¼S duration)
- Max 6000A surge (1x 40 ¼S duration)
- DC resistance
GAS DISCHARGE TUBE (GDT) THEORY:
The gas discharge tube employed in the SP-
200 contains a pair of electrodes inside a sealed
tube filled with an inert gas. During normal
operation, the gas acts as an insulator, and there is
no continuity between the two electrodes.When the specified discharge voltage is
exceeded, however, the gas ionizes, creating a
conductive path for the discharge to occur.
Conductivity rises almost instantly, and resistance
between the two electrodes drops to a few
thousandths of an ohm.
Once the surge is suppressed, the gas tube
“resets” and may be used again and again,
perhaps several hundred times, depending on the
nature of the surge.
INSTALLATION:
Installation of the SP-200 Surge Protector is
simple. Place the SP-200 in-line with your
antenna system’s coaxial feedline, as close to the
protected equipment as is possible. Crimp or
solder a wire, #16 to #10 AWG (the larger the
better) to the supplied ring terminal, and connect
this to the station ground bus. It is recommended
to connect to a ground rod inserted at least 4 feet
into the ground.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
While the SP-200 protects against surges such
as those caused by nearby lightning strikes, no
device can protect against a direct lightning strike.
Do not work on antenna systems during a
thunderstorm.
GAS DISCHARGE TUBE REPLACEMENT:
After many discharge events, eventually the
gas discharge tube may need to be replaced. High
VSWR or a “deaf” receiver are common
symptoms that the discharge tube has failed.
Simply unscrew the GDT from the SP-200, and
install the new GDT by hand tightening. Do not
use excessive force.
|
|
