TM NETWORKS TM External Radio Unit Installation Guide Release 2.0 Part 002739A revision 00d Revision History Revision Date Changes Made 00a January 15, 2003 Document created based on the Release 1.0 version (revision 00e) of the Booster Antenna Installation Guide.
Copyright 2002, 2003 SOMA Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SOMA Networks, Inc. 185 Berry Street Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94107 U.S.A. Phone +1.415.882.6500 Fax +1.415.882.6501 SOMA, SOMA Networks and the star-and-circle logo are trademarks of SOMA Networks, Inc. All SOMA Networks product names are trademarks of SOMA Networks, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Products and services of SOMA Networks, Inc.
Important Notice An improperly installed ERU may cause serious damage to you and/or your property or may even cause fatal injuries. The External Radio Unit Installation Guide has been developed and is intended for those individuals with experience in performing various installation tasks involving outdoor telecommunication devices.
SOMA Networks, Inc. will not accept and is not responsible or liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the installation of the ERU by you. If you are not in agreement with this notice, or do not have the experience necessary to install the ERU, please contact your telecommunications service provider for further instructions with regard to the proper installation of the ERU.
Preface This document describes how to install the External Radio Unit (ERU), ground it, and connect it to the SOMAport. Related Documentation The following table lists the SOMA Networks consumer documents that cover SOMAport installation Document Description Audience SOMAport Setup Guide Installation and maintenance guide for the SOMAport Subscribers SOMAport Quick Setup Card Quick installation card Subscribers Conventions This section outlines the conventions used in this guide.
Trademark Identification The SOMAportTM subscriber device, a trademark of SOMA Networks, Inc., is referred to without notation in the rest of this document. Tell Us How We Are Doing If you have any feedback about this document, e-mail Technical Communications at SOMA Networks: docs@somanetworks.com. Alerts used in this guide W A R N I N G : Where you see this symbol and the WARNING heading, strictly follow the instructions to avoid personal injury or damage to the product.
Important Safety Instructions For your safety and protection, read this entire guide before you attempt to install the External Radio Unit (ERU). In particular, read this safety section carefully. Keep this safety information where you can refer to it if necessary. W A R N I N G : One milliampere of current flowing through your body can kill you. Voltage as low as 15 volts can kill under the right conditions. Treat energized equipment with respect.
In Canada, follow Section 10 of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC). For other countries, be sure to meet the requirements of the electrical codes of that country. Coaxial cable – Use fire-resistant coaxial cable and comply with the guidelines in NEC 820-49, NEC 820-50, and NEC fire requirements. Cable should not be marked with voltage markings. Installation of the coaxial cable should also comply with NEC requirements.
Contents Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The ERU assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I NTR ODUCTION Chapter 0 Contents Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The ERU assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do you have everything? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Overview The SOMAport has an internal antenna that provides sufficient levels of performance in most situations. However, certain subscribers may be located too far away from the nearest basestation to receive a strong radio frequency (RF) signal. When an antenna, such as the internal SOMAport antenna, is located inside a building, the signal is weakened because it has to penetrate the walls. This phenomenon is known as building penetration loss.
Introduction WARNING: Do not connect or disconnect the ERU cable while the SOMAport is on. +28V DC may be present, so attempting the connection or disconnection of the cable could result in personal injury. This will not damage the equipment, but may be dangerous. If the SOMAport (when first turned on) does not detect the ERU, the voltage through the ERU cable is turned off.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide The ERU assembly The following illustration shows the three main pieces that are shipped and that must be assembled as part of the installation.
Introduction Do you have everything? Before you begin, make sure you have everything you will need during the installation. The basic ERU kit Verify that the kit contains the following parts: ERU Mounting pipe Mounting bracket Four 5/16-inch x 2-inch lag screws Seven 5/16-inch flat washers Three 5/16-inch x 1-inch bolts The installation kit The installation kit is an optional set of mounting hardware provided for subscribers who want to install the antenna themselves.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Materials and tools In addition, you need the following materials and tools, which are not supplied with the basic ERU or installation kits: 16 13-mm (1/2-inch) socket wrench Pencil or chalk Carpenter’s level Silicone sealant 11-mm (7/16-inch) open-end or box-end wrench or small adjustable wrench Electric drill with one of the following drill bits: 3/16-inch wood drill bit (if installing on wood or a roof) 1/2-inch masonry drill bit (if
Introduction Safety precautions In addition to the safety instructions on page 7, follow these guidelines when installing the ERU: Carefully survey the job site before beginning the installation to locate secure handholds, dangerous conditions (such as power lines and weak roofs), and the safest and most convenient placements for ladders. Do not climb on a wet or icy roof. Do not attempt high installations on windy days.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide 18
I NS TALLI NG Chapter 0 THE ERU This chapter describes how to install the ERU outdoors using a variety of mounting options. It also describes how to route and connect ground cables, ground the ERU, and connect it to the SOMAport. Be sure to read the important safety information in the front pages of this manual before beginning an installation. Contents Installation overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Installation overview Before you begin the installation, make sure you have the read the important notice on page 3 and the safety instructions on page 7.
Installing the ERU Installation guidelines and requirements Guidelines Follow these guidelines to optimize the received radio signal. The ERU works best when: Installed at the highest point possible Placed as far away as possible from obstructions, such as trees or tall buildings Requirements The installation must meet the following requirements: The ERU must not be used indoors. The ERU must be installed on an outdoor permanent structure such as a roof or an external wall.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Estimating cable requirements Once you have selected the installation site, you must decide where you want the cable to enter the building and estimate how much cable you are going to need. Cable restrictions You must use RG-6/U coaxial cable to connect the ERU to the SOMAport. One coaxial cable runs from the ERU to a ground block. A second coaxial cable, which connects to the first at the ground block, runs to the SOMAport.
Installing the ERU 4 Estimate the amount of cable required for each of the following: Cable run Distance One hybrid RG-6/U coaxial cable with messengered #17 AWG copper-clad steel grounding wire This cable, which has a grounding wire attached, runs from the ERU to the ground block. One RG-6/U coaxial cable This second piece of coaxial cable (no grounding wire attached) runs from the ground block to the SOMAport.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Assembling the mounting bracket and pipe This section describes how to attach the mounting bracket to the mounting pipe. The recommended procedure is to attach the the bracket-and-pipe assembly to the mounting surface (wall, roof, or under the eaves) and then attach the ERU to the mounting pipe. This makes it easier to handle the assembly while attaching it to the mounting surface. You will use three bolts to attach the mounting bracket to the mounting pipe.
Installing the ERU Mounting options The way in which you assemble the mounting bracket and mounting pipe depends on the mounting option you choose. The following table shows sample wall, rooftop, and under-the-eaves installations to illustrate how the parts must be assembled for each mounting option. The procedure on page 27 describes how to attach the mounting pipe to the mounting bracket for the various mounting options.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Option Sample Installation Rooftop 00484 Under the eaves 00476 26
Installing the ERU To assemble the mounting bracket and pipe 1 Slide the mounting bracket over the long end of the mounting pipe and then assemble according to the mounting option you have chosen: Option Assembly Wall Position the bracket so that it is centered on the long end of the pipe. Make sure the bend in the pipe is oriented as shown below.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Option Assembly Under the eaves Position the bracket so that it is at the end of the pipe (as far from the bend in the pipe as possible). This will maximize the distance between the ERU and any obstructions, such as the eaves, wall, or roof. Make sure the bend in the pipe is oriented as shown below. 00482 Rooftop Position the bracket so that it is centered on the long end of the pipe. Make sure the bend in the pipe is oriented as shown below.
Installing the ERU W A R N I N G : Make sure the SOMAport is off before you install the ERU and connect any cables to it.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Installing the ERU on solid wood or lap siding The following illustration shows an installation on an external wall with wood or lap siding. 00461 W A R N I N G : Do not mount the ERU on any type of aluminum or vinyl siding or on any type of composite paneling, such as fiber board, particle board, or strand board. If the surface is made of wood, make sure it is structurally sound.
Installing the ERU Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide 7 Hold the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly over the holes so that the long end of the pipe points straight up. 8 If the mounting bracket spans two pieces of siding, use a spacer. The mounting bracket should be positioned so that most of it is on the top board. A spacer should be installed to help hold the bottom of the mounting bracket in place. The spacer can be made of either solid wood or plastic.
Installing the ERU Installing the ERU on brick or poured concrete The following illustration shows an installation on an external wall that is made of brick or poured concrete. 00459 This installation option requires the use of wall anchors, which must have a strength of at least 135 kgs (300 pounds) of pull-out pressure. B4015 or equivalent double-expansion anchors are recommended.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin.
Installing the ERU 7 Hold the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly over the holes so that the long end of the mounting pipe points straight up. 8 Insert a 1/4-inch -20 x 3-inch machine screw in each of the holes to attach the mounting bracket to the wall. 00460 9 Tighten the screws to secure the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly to the wall. 10 Attach the ERU to the mounting assembly as described in the section “Attaching the ERU to the mounting assembly” on page 44.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Installing the ERU on a cinder-block or hollow wall Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin.
Installing the ERU iv Hold the ring tight and slide the plastic cap along the straps until the cap is flush with the wall. v Push the straps side to side to snap them off flush with the wall. vi Repeat steps 7i to 7v for the other holes. 8 Hold the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly over the holes so that the long end of the mounting pipe points straight up. 9 Insert a 1/4-inch -20 x 3-inch machine screw in each of the holes to attach the mounting bracket to the wall.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Installing the ERU under the eaves The following illustration shows an under-the-eaves installation. 00476 Follow these guidelines when installing the ERU under the eaves: Make sure the wooden surface is structurally sound. Do not mount the ERU on any type of aluminum or vinyl. Do not mount the ERU on any type of composite material, such as fiber board, particle board, or strand board.
Installing the ERU Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin. Materials Tools Four 5/16-inch x 2-inch lag screws Electric drill with a 3/16-inch wood bit Four 5/16-inch x 2-inch washers Carpenter’s level Screwdriver Hammer 11-mm (7/16-inch) open-end or box-end wrench or a small adjustable wrench Pencil or chalk To install the mounting assembly under wooden eaves 1 Hold the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly in position.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide 5 Hold the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly over the holes so that the short end of the mounting pipe points straight up. 00486 6 Insert a 5/16-inch x 2-inch lag screw in each of the holes to attach the mounting bracket. 7 Tighten the screws to secure the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly under the eaves. 8 Use a level to see if the mounting pipe is pointing straight up.
Installing the ERU Installing the ERU on a roof The following illustration shows a rooftop installation. 00487 When installing the ERU on a roof, install it in the highest possible location to maximize the signal you receive. A T T E N T I O N : Under some conditions, walking on the roof can cause damage, and improperly sealed mounting holes can cause leaks. Use caution when installing the ERU on the roof.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin.
Installing the ERU 3 Use a carpenter’s level to make sure the center line of the bracket is perfectly horizontal. 4 Use a pencil or a piece of chalk to mark the positions of the four holes that are located in the four corners of the mounting bracket. 5 Remove the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly. 6 Drill a 3/16-inch hole in each of the locations you marked. 7 Fill the holes you drilled with silicone sealant. 8 Hold the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly over the holes.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Attaching the ERU to the mounting assembly Once the mounting bracket-and-pipe assembly is securely attached to the mounting surface and the mounting pipe is pointing straight up, you can attach the ERU to the mounting assembly. At this point you should also attach the coaxial cable and grounding wire to the base of the ERU in preparation for the grounding procedure that follows.
Installing the ERU Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin. Materials Tools ERU Screwdriver Hybrid RG-6/U coaxial cable with messengered #17 AWG grounding wire Oxide-inhibiting compound One #10 washer-head screw To To attach the ERU to the mounting pipe 1 Attach the ERU to the mounting pipe by sliding the hole on its base over the mounting pipe. 2 Turn the ERU in a clockwise direction to tighten it.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Routing and grounding the exterior cables Grounding the ERU to the central building ground helps protect it and the SOMAport from lightning damage. A T T E N T I O N : You may be able to ground the ERU yourself. However, if you are not completely sure of what is required, contact a qualified electrician. Grounding is important and must be completed correctly.
Installing the ERU Electrical code compliance The ERU must be grounded in accordance with Section 810 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), Section 10 of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), or the electrical code of the country in which you are installing the ERU. The following illustration, which is not to scale, depicts the grounding requirements. Grounding options A to C are described on page 48.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Choosing a location for the ground block The coaxial cable from the ERU attaches to your building at the ground block. The ground block must be located as close as is practical to the point where the cable enters the building, preferably outside the building. W A R N I N G : Do not mount the ground block directly on flammable material, such as lap, wood, or vinyl siding.
Installing the ERU A water pipe by itself is not an acceptable building ground. It is acceptable only if supplemented with a grounding rod and bonded to the central building ground with a #6 AWG bond wire. Mobile homes For mobile homes, the electrical service panel or, if the service panel is inside the trailer, the main electrical disconnect (the emergency disconnect switch outside the trailer), must be within sight of and within 9 m (30 feet) of one of the mobile home’s walls.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin. Materials Tools Ground block and necessary hardware Screwdriver #10 AWG copper grounding wire Hammer Hybrid RG-6/U coaxial cable with messengered #17 AWG grounding wire Oxide-inhibiting compound A T T E N T I O N : The #10 AWG copper grounding wire must be a single, whole piece of wire. Never splice two wires for the grounding wire.
Installing the ERU 5 Route the #10 AWG wire and connect it to the central building ground point you selected by following the appropriate procedure in the following table. Building Ground Procedure Electrical service grounding rod or raceway TBD - need an illustration and procedure NOTE: If there is no pre-drilled hole in the service panel enclosure use a different building ground.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Building Ground Procedure Grounding rod 1 Drive the grounding rod into the earth within 6 m (20 feet) of the ground block. NOTE: No more than 15 cm (6 inches) of the rod should be above the earth. 2 Slide the pressure lug over the top of the grounding rod. Ground Wire Ground Rod Ground Rod Pressure Lug 00478 3 4 5 6 7 52 Insert the #10 AWG grounding wire that runs from the ground block between the grounding rod and the pressure lug.
Installing the ERU Routing cable to the SOMAport When routing cable to the SOMAport, you should select the shortest possible path and always protect the cable from physical damage. Depending on the installation site, you could run the cable through a floor or wall, or directly to the SOMAport. If the cable goes straight through a wall, you can use a wall plate at the access point. The SOMAport The following diagram shows the location of the ERU connector and ERU light on the back panel of the SOMAport.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Tools and materials Make sure you have the following items on hand before you begin.
Installing the ERU 7 Route the RG-6/U coaxial cable through the building and insert it into the F-connector on the back of the SOMAport. Messenger Grounding Wire RG-6/U Coaxial Cable Messenger Grounding Wire Ground Block #10 AWG Copper Grounding Wire to Central Building Ground 00429 8 Seal the access point into the building with silicone sealant. 9 Turn on the SOMAport. The SOMAport takes a few minutes to start and connect to the network. Make sure the SOMAport is operational.
External Radio Unit Installation Guide Troubleshooting If you experience any of the following problems, follow the suggested actions. Problem Corrective Actions The cable connections are poor. Secure the cable connections. The ERU was not detected. Check the cable connections to make sure they are secure. Check to see if the cable is shorted. If it is, connect another cable and check again. Turn off the SOMAport and then turn it back on.
