User's Guide

A.1.3

Equipment Location and Physical Mounting

Choosing an appropriate location for mounting an IEP is critical to the performance and survival

of the unit. However, the requirements and considerations are relatively simple.

It is good practice where possible to obtain all components to be installed and interconnected

and lay them out in order to plan the installation.

To minimize possible damage due to shock and vibration from mining equipment, the

mounting location must have suﬃcient structural integrity to ensure the IEP is rigid in all three

axes when bolted on. This means lightweight steel plate and enclosure surfaces such as Lids

and Doors, while convenient are often not a good choice as they introduce ‘trampolining’ and

‘extra oscillations.

The mounting method must incorporate all four mounting bolts.

The location ought to be readily accessible for servicing and troubleshooting.

Specifically, access is needed to the connections for integrity checks, and visibility of the LED

indicators for troubleshooting. There must be enough space to allow cabling to be routed and

connected without any stress on the connectors, and excessive bending or chaﬃng of the

associated cabling.

Proximity to attached devices and the antennae are also important considerations. The first

aim should be to limit the antenna’s coaxial cable length. Excessive cable length leads to losses

and reduced signal strength, which in turn results in significantly less operating range. Typically,

the allowable cable lengths for serial and Ethernet connections to on-board systems and

devices far exceed those of coax cable. With this in mind, locating the IEP as close as practical

to the antennas should be the first priority.

Take Note:

IEP devices, particularly those with multiple embedded cards, can generate significant heat.

Even in climates where operating temperatures remain below the max operating temperature

of the IEP, best practices for installation would guide to installation inside the cab of the device,

or at a minimum, protected from external heat sources. These best practices may lead to

longer service life and better performance of the IEP.