Where should a lightning arrester be installed in a coaxial feed line?

Where should a lightning arrester be installed in a coaxial feed line?

• A. At the transmitter end of the feed line
• B. On the antenna side of the coaxial line
• C. On a grounded panel near where feed lines enter the building
• D. Near the radio equipment

Answer: (C)

Installing a lightning arrester on a grounded panel near where feed lines enter the building is optimal for protecting both the radio equipment and the structure itself. Placing it at this point allows the arrester to intercept high-voltage lightning strikes or surges before they can travel into the building's interior wiring, where they could cause damage to sensitive equipment. This location is strategic because it effectively creates a diversion for the lightning surge to ground, ensuring that the potentially damaging energy does not pass through the coaxial feed line into the transmitter or other connected devices. By having it near the point of entry into the building, it also minimizes the length of unprotected coaxial cable that could potentially carry the surge into the radio equipment. While options such as placing the arrester at the transmitter end or near the radio equipment might provide some level of protection, they would allow the full energy of a surge to travel further through the coaxial cable before it is diverted to ground. Therefore, the ideal position for effective lightning protection is indeed at the entry point of the feed line, ensuring maximum protection for both the amateur radio equipment and the structure itself.

Installing a lightning arrester on a grounded panel near where feed lines enter the building is optimal for protecting both the radio equipment and the structure itself. Placing it at this point allows the arrester to intercept high-voltage lightning strikes or surges before they can travel into the building's interior wiring, where they could cause damage to sensitive equipment.

This location is strategic because it effectively creates a diversion for the lightning surge to ground, ensuring that the potentially damaging energy does not pass through the coaxial feed line into the transmitter or other connected devices. By having it near the point of entry into the building, it also minimizes the length of unprotected coaxial cable that could potentially carry the surge into the radio equipment.

While options such as placing the arrester at the transmitter end or near the radio equipment might provide some level of protection, they would allow the full energy of a surge to travel further through the coaxial cable before it is diverted to ground. Therefore, the ideal position for effective lightning protection is indeed at the entry point of the feed line, ensuring maximum protection for both the amateur radio equipment and the structure itself.