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28
RCU location and orientation
The following provides the preferred
mounting orientation for the RCU and solar
panel. For many real world installations,
these ideal requirements will be
contradictory and impossible to achieve.
Therefore a hierarchy of constraints is
provided.
RCU orientation
The RCU must be mounted on the power
pole within 65.6 ft (20 m) of the Fusesavers
it is to connect with. Best radio connection
between RCU and Fusesavers is when the
RCU is under the power lines with a line of
sight to the Fusesavers. The worst
orientation is when the RCU is on the power
pole at right angles to the line. If there are
communications problems between the RCU
and the Fusesaver, then try moving the RCU
through 90° on the pole.
Also, the RCU should be mounted on the
shady side of the power pole to minimize
solar heating which strongly affects battery
life. In the Northern hemisphere, this means
on the north side of the pole. In the
Southern Hemisphere, this means on the
south side of the pole. If this is
impracticable, then the RCU should be
mounted towards the Eastern side of the
pole to minimize afternoon sun heating.
Solar panel orientation
The solar panel should be mounted as
follows:
On the same pole as the RCU within
6.6 ft (2 m) vertically of the RCU.
Facing South in the Northern
Hemisphere and North in the Southern
Hemisphere.
With no shading of the panel except
within one hour of sunrise and sunset.
This is vital to ensure correct operation
of the solar panel. Any shadow that falls
over any part of the panel significantly
degrades the panel output. If this
condition cannot be met, then the site is
probably not suitable for solar
operation.
Where possible, avoid mounting the
panel in the line of sight between the
RCU and the Fusesavers to reduce
interference with the RCU radio
communications.
Hierarchy of constraints
When the orientation recommendations are
not possible or incompatible, the following
is the recommended hierarchy of
constraints:
1. Achieve appropriate location of solar
panel to generate acceptable charging.
Suggested tolerance +/-30° from south
facing (for Northern hemisphere
installations).
2. Position the RCU to achieve reliable
communications to Fusesavers. Ideally
the RCU should be mounted on the same
side of the pole as the Fusesavers being
careful to avoid interference from the
solar panel above.
3. Position RCU on shaded side of pole as
much as possible maintaining point 2 to
a tolerance of +/- 45° of colinear with
the overhead line.
Figures 20-23 on page 29 demonstrate the
preferred location of RCU and solar panel for
various line orientations (Northern
Hemisphere example).
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