Appendix G Grounding And Rf Protection; Why Is Grounding Required - KVH Industries TracPhone F55 Installation Manual

Grounding and RF protection
G.1 Why is grounding required?
G.1.1 Reasons for grounding
Grounding of the Fleet77/55system is required for three reasons:
• Safety: Lightning protection of persons and equipment
• Protection: ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) protection of equipment
• Performance: Interference free communication between BDU and ADU
G.1.2 Safety
Fist of all grounding of the Fleet77/55system is required for safety reasons. In
the event of a lightning strike at the ADU a proper grounding of the system will
provide a low resistance path to divert the strike discharge to seawater.
G.1.3 Protection
Secondly the ESD protection circuits in the BDU rely on a proper grounding of
the system in order to work properly. Otherwise sensitive circuits within the
BDU might be damaged due to ESD when handling the equipment.
G.1.4 Performance
Finally a proper grounding of the system will enhance RF immunity thus
ensuring interference free modem communication between BDU and ADU.
This modem communication is essential for the performance of the
Fleet77/55system.
Appendix G
G
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