How to install a lightning surge protector on cell booster system?
Jan 20, 2020
Below you can watch a FAQ video that explains lightning surge protectors for cell phone signal booster systems. It discusses what they are, when to use them, and how to install them.
What is a lightning surge protector?
A lightning surge protector protects your signal booster and any connected components from getting fried if outside antenna gets struck by lightning. Most often, outside antennas are placed high on the roof of the home, which can make them a possible target for lightning strikes. Lightning surge protectors are only available for building boosters, as it is nearly impossible that an antenna on your vehicle will be struck by lightning. If lightning should strike your outside antenna without a lightning surge protector, that energy would pass through the antenna cable down to your booster, out the connecting cable, to interior antenna(s) and eventually frying all electrical components connected to the cell phone booster system.
How does a lightning surge protector work?
With a lightning surge protector installed, energy from the lightning would pass through antenna cable to the surge protector and will be grounded there. That power would dissipate at that point akin to blowing a fuse, keeping all of your equipment downline safe. Either way, there's no chance of lightning passing out of any of the connected components and into the building, so there's no risk of personal injury involved. A lightning surge protector will protect your booster, saving you time and money. You will just need to replace an inexpensive surge protector cartridge instead of an entire signal booster system.
To install a lightning surge protector follow these steps:
1. Install the lightning surge protector close to the outside or external antenna. Attach a cable from outside antenna to the surge protector. You can purchase short two feet cables for this purpose. Attach other end of the surge protector to the cable running to your signal booster. The surge protector is bi-directional, meaning it doesn't matter which way you install it.
2. Attach a ground wire up to 10 gauge to the lightning surge protector by inserting the wire into the ground connector and crimping it with a crimping tool. Check the wire to a grounding bus or grounding point nearby. Be sure to check local electrical code requirements for grounding. Most require a 10 or 12 gauge copper wire from the surge protector to the grounding rod. The depth of the grounding rod will be based on local department code requirements. Tighten all of the connections up, and you're done. If lightning does strike your antenna, simply remove the replaceable cartridge from the surge protector, insert a new one, and tighten down the cap. Then you're back up and running.
SignalBooster.com offers lightning surge protection equipment for various cable types, so whichever type of cable you're using, you can find a surge protector to match.
Share this post
1 comment
I didn’t give any thought to getting a lightning surge protector for my cell booster until I read this. You can bet there’ll be one on my outside antenna. I have surge protectors for my PC and my TV so why wouldn’t I want to protect my outside antenna from lightning?