Electronics World articles Popular Electronics articles QST articles Radio & TV News articles Radio-Craft articles Radio-Electronics articles Short Wave Craft articles Wireless World articles Google Search of RF Cafe website Sitemap Electronics Equations Mathematics Equations Equations physics Manufacturers & distributors Engineer Jobs LinkedIn Crosswords Engineering Humor Kirt's Cogitations RF Engineering Quizzes Notable Quotes Calculators Education Engineering Magazine Articles Engineering software RF Cafe Archives RF Cascade Workbook 2018 RF Symbols for Visio - Word Advertising Magazine Sponsor RF Cafe RF Electronics Symbols for Visio RF Electronics Symbols for Office Word RF Electronics Stencils for Visio Sponsor Links Saturday Evening Post NEETS EW Radar Handbook Microwave Museum About RF Cafe Aegis Power Systems Anritsu Alliance Test Equipment Amplifier Solutions Anatech Electronics Axiom Test Equipment Berkeley Nucleonics Centric RF Conduct RF Copper Mountain Technologies Empower RF everything RF Exodus Advanced Communications Innovative Power Products ISOTEC KR Filters PCB Directory Rigol San Francisco Circuits Reactel RF Connector Technology TotalTemp Technologies Triad RF Systems Windfreak Technologies Withwave LadyBug Technologies Wireless Telecom Group Sponsorship Rates RF Cafe Software Resources Vintage Magazines RF Cafe Software RF Cafe Sponsor Links Temwell Werbel Microwave Thank you for visiting RF Cafe!
Exodus Advanced Communications Best in Class RF Amplifier SSPAs

Standards and Guidelines for Communication Sites

Motorola Publication R56

Proper grounding at communications sites is essential for reliable, error-free operations and for safety issues related to both shock hazards and lightning strikes. Many sources of advice exist for how to best collect equipment and power source grounds in order to mitigate crosstalk and power supply noise. As with any time a group of equally qualified 'experts' expound on opinions regarding best practices, some information you find will be contradictory.

"Standards and Guidelines for Communication Sites" Motorola R56 - RF Cafe

One of the most highly regarded guidelines is a 518-page document published by Motorola (Publication R56) titled "Standards and Guidelines for Communication Sites." Many essential topics have been included like site design and development, communication site building and installation, internal and external grounding, power sources, surge protection devices, soil resistivity, and electromagnetic interference. There are plenty of diagrams included to help explain installation techniques. It is all worth reviewing by anyone involved with radio transmitters, receivers, antennas, power supplies, RF switches, etc.

Motorola R56 Equipment Rack Grounding - RF Cafe

Motorola R56 Equipment Rack Grounding

Appendix A, "Electromagnetic Energy Information," discusses intentional and unintentional EM radiation, including environmental evaluation, exposure standards and limits, and compliance analysis. It also contains engineering considerations like antenna elevation, collocated broadcast transmitters, location of directional antennas, antenna selection, and mounting density of antennas.

Appendix B covers soil resistivity measurements that determine what kind of grounding system is required for optimal operation. It outlines measurement procedures and calculation of results, which is used in Appendix D for actually installing ground rods, metal mesh, and wires.

Appendix C gives a lot of insight into electrostatic discharge (ESD) causes and mitigation techniques including wrist straps, flooring (ESD tiles and mats), chairs, operator equipment, relative humidity control, and how to develop an effective implementation and monitoring plan.

This document has a current copyright on it and does not appear to be available directly from Motorola. I did an online chat with a Moto rep and he could not find a location on the Motorola website where it can be publically downloaded. He was aware, however, of the couple places on private websites where it can be accessed (such as the one I have hyperlinked) and did not appear to be concerned about it.

I have to give credit to the ARRL's QST columnist Joel R. Hallas (W1ZR) for bringing this document to my attention.

 

 

Posted September 15, 2015

Holzworth
Rigol DSG5000 Microwave Generator - RF Cafe
Axiom Test Equipment - RF Cafe
Werbel Microwave (RF power couplers, dividers)
PCB Directory (Manufacturers)

Please Support RF Cafe by purchasing my  ridiculously low−priced products, all of which I created.

These Are Available for Free

 

About RF Cafe

Kirt Blattenberger - RF Cafe Webmaster

Copyright: 1996 - 2024

Webmaster:

    Kirt Blattenberger,

    BSEE - KB3UON

RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling 2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps while tying up your telephone line, and a nice lady's voice announced "You've Got Mail" when a new message arrived...

All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images and text used on the RF Cafe website are hereby acknowledged.

My Hobby Website:

AirplanesAndRockets.com