If your area is prone to lightning/thunder and static electricity surges, they can damage your electronic/network equipment like network cards, routers, modem, switch ports or any other device that has a cable coming in from outside. Why expose your expensive/sensitive equipment to excess surges/spikes caused by natural phenomenon, when you can use an Ethernet surge protector and prevent the damage? Especially, when you know that computers/servers and other equipment connected beyond these electronic devices could also be affected due to high surges during lightning/thunder storms.
What is an Outdoor Ethernet surge protector?
An outdoor Ethernet surge protector protects electronic/network equipment from surges and spikes caused due to lightning or static charge buildup, by transmitting the excess electricity to the ground. If excessive electricity passes through it, the Ethernet surge protector cuts the power supply to the electronic/network device it is protecting. An outdoor unit is weather resistant and can be placed outside the house, close to the equipment/antenna to be protected.
Some devices like Wireless Access Points that connect your modem to the ISP, or used to create a point to point network with another Wireless Access Point – also in your premises – are generally kept outside. These devices are prone to be damaged by lightning/thunderstorms and an outdoor Ethernet surge protector can keep them safe.
How is an Outdoor Ethernet surge protector connected with the electronic/network device?
The surge protector is connected in-line with the device, without disturbing the existing connection. If an external Wireless Access Point is connected with a network switch port using an Ethernet cable, for example, the Ethernet cable at one end should be removed and connected with one port of the surge protector. The other port on the surge protector connects back to the device with another (new) cable.
Will data and power pass-through the Outdoor Ethernet surge protector?
Yes. This device supports pass-through of up to 1000 Mbps of data and is also compatible with older 10/100 Mbps ports. It supports PoE/PoE+ – Power Over Ethernet standards – which enable both power and data to be carried on the same Ethernet/Network cable. For example, if your outdoor access point is connected to the 1000 Mbps (I GE) Ethernet port of a POE switch, both data and power will still be provided to it, even when the Outdoor Ethernet surge protector is introduced in between, for protection.
Salient features of the Outdoor Ethernet surge protector:
- Lightning surge protector – protects from surges and spikes.
- Can be kept outdoors.
- Supports up to 1000 Mbps (Gigabit) Ethernet.
- Supports PoE/PoE+ (Power Over Ethernet standards).
- Discharge capability up to 20 KA – can handle a large amount of currents.
- Protects all four pairs of the Ethernet/network cable – Cat 5, Cat 5E, Cat 6, etc.
- UL 497B recognized Gas Discharge Tubes (GDT) protection – dependable.
- Shielded/Grounded RJ-45 jacks – Good quality termination of joints.
- Bi-directional coupling – can be attached to most surfaces.
- High insulation resistance.
- Impact and weather resistant enclosure – suitable for outdoor use.
- Locking hinged cover – for properly closing and protecting the circuitry inside.
- IEC 61000-4-5, GRE 1089 compliant.
- RoHS compliant – manufacturing process doesn’t use hazardous substances, hence it can be securely disposed.
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