Re: CAT5 surge/lightning strike protection recommendations?

[David Lesher <wb8foz () nrk com>]

Speaking on Deep Background, the Press Secretary whispered:

> I have a bunch of cat5 buried about 1 ft below the surface connecting multiple
> buildings on a campus (short runs) and lightning strikes nearby have caused
> surges along one or more of the cables and burnt out switch ports. I would
> like to protect the switch ports -- there seem to be lots of products on the
> market.
>
> Anyone have recommendations 

A) Don't.

B) Don't

C)...

Surge protectors can not protect you from ground differential issues.

Your answer is

1) Pull fiber with that CAT5 pullrope.

2) If you REALLY, REALLY can't....

Put a fiber transceiver in building A. At least 10 foot away,
put in a 2nd transceiver and connect THAT to the CAT5 going to
building B.  Connect A & B wallwarts to different breakers, with
surge protectors....and stock spares.o

{Extra help; power B from a small hospital-grade isolation
transformer -- low leakage, hi breakdown voltage.}

Hopefully, you'll merely lose transceivers & wallwarts on the
B-side, with nothing in building B being zorched. 




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