4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female Lightning Arrester - DC - 3 GHz

This 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester is a GDT based RF surge protector designed for DC - 3 GHz operation. It sits in the transmission line between the antenna and the radio equipment, diverting lightning-induced transients to ground before they reach the sensitive front end. The 50 ohm design holds insertion loss at 0.2 dB with a VSWR of 1.25 or better across the passband.

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Overview

Overview

Product Overview

Designed for RF coaxial lines operating from DC to 3 GHz, this 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester provides an in-line path for surge protection between an antenna system and connected radio equipment. The 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester uses a replaceable 90 V gas discharge tube (GDT) with a stated 10 kA (8/20 us) surge-current capability. During normal service, the GDT remains high impedance so that RF energy passes through the transmission line with stated insertion loss of 0.2 dB. When a transient reaches the line, the GDT ionizes and diverts the surge energy through the grounding connection rather than toward sensitive equipment.

The GDT design supports a low-capacitance, low-loss signal path and allows the discharge tube to be replaced after a significant surge event. Compared with diode-based alternatives, its triggering threshold is higher, but that operating characteristic is appropriate for many antenna feeder and base-station line applications where low RF disturbance is important.

Protection Mechanism and Construction

Protection Element: The central protection component is a 90 V gas discharge tube rated at 10 kA on an 8/20 us waveform. In the 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester, the tube is positioned in the body so it can be serviced or replaced without removing the cable assembly.
Grounding Path: A side-mounted ring terminal connects the unit to an earth bar. Because the path from the GDT to ground affects the amount of transient energy reaching the protected port, the grounding lead should be kept direct and low in inductance.
Body: The inline body is machined from brass and finished with corrosion-resistant plating. This arrangement supports direct installation at a panel or bulkhead location.
Connector Interface: The 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester has female 4.3-10 interfaces at both ends, allowing standard compatible cable assemblies to be connected without alteration.

Its compact 4.3-10 interface is suited to space-conscious, high-density base-station installations.

Reference Technical Specifications

The listed data describes the reference configuration of this 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester. Confirm final values against the selected production configuration before specifying the part for a project.

Parameter	Specification	Notes
Connector Interface	4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female	Standard RF connector
Mounting Style	Inline	Body configuration
Impedance	50 ohm	System impedance
Frequency Range	DC - 3 GHz	Passband
Insertion Loss	0.2 dB	Across passband
VSWR	1.25	Maximum
Power Handling	250 W	CW, reference
Discharge Element	90 V	Gas discharge tube
Surge Current	10 kA (8/20 us)	8/20 us waveform
Grounding	Ring terminal	M4 lug, ground wire
Body Material	Machined brass	Corrosion-resistant plating
Weight	112.3 g	Approximate
Typical Application	Panel entry, antenna port protection, DAS	Primary use case

Reference figures apply to this protection-product family and require confirmation against the final production version.

Engineering Comparison

vs. Quarter-Wave Stub: A quarter-wave stub is frequency-specific and grounds DC, so its useful protection behavior is limited to a narrower operating range. The DC - 3 GHz coverage of the 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester is better suited to multi-band line installations that do not require retuning for each band.
vs. Diode-Based Protector: Diode limiters may react faster, but added capacitance can restrict upper-frequency response and power handling. This GDT-based configuration retains the stated 0.2 dB insertion loss and 250 W reference power handling for transmitter-line use.
vs. DC Block Surge Protector: A DC block prevents DC and low-frequency signals from continuing down a line, yet it does not provide the same direct path to earth for a high-energy surge. The grounding route in this 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester is intended for outdoor antenna installations requiring surge diversion.

Applications

Panel entry, antenna port protection, DAS: The 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester can be installed at a panel entry to route induced antenna-line transients toward ground before they reach radio equipment.
Tower and Rooftop Installations: The unit can be placed where a cable enters a cabinet or shelter so the transmission line has a defined earth reference at the entry point.
Multi-Band Radio Sites: Its DC - 3 GHz passband accommodates legacy and current radio bands without a frequency-specific adjustment, helping simplify installation and stock planning.
Equipment Racks and Test Systems: At a radio or instrument input, the 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester adds a protection point for transients coupled onto longer coaxial cable runs.

Installation and Grounding Notes

Grounding First: Connect the grounding lug to the earth bar using the shortest practical route. A long or thin lead increases inductance and can reduce the effectiveness of the surge path.
Mounting: Install the inline body with the grounding lug oriented toward the cable-entry side and keep it within the protected zone of the site lightning-protection arrangement.
Torque and Sealing: Tighten connectors according to the connector manufacturer’s torque guidance. Outdoor interfaces should be protected with suitable weatherproofing tape or a weather boot.

OEM and B2B Support

OEM Customization: For volume orders, connector combinations, 90 V or 230 V discharge options, and alternate plating may be available.
Cable Assembly Options: Factory-terminated jumper assemblies with the arrester pre-installed may be supplied for a plug-and-play connection arrangement.
Packaging and Marking: Individual protective packaging, custom labels, and batch test reports are available on request.

FAQ

Q: When should the gas discharge tube be replaced?

A: The 90 V GDT is specified for 10 kA (8/20 us). Following a major surge, test the tube for leakage and hold-off performance. If it does not pass that check, it can be replaced without changing the complete 4.3-10 Female to 4.3-10 Female lightning arrester.

Q: Does this unit affect a DC - 3 GHz RF signal?

A: The reference RF values are 0.2 dB insertion loss and a maximum VSWR of 1.25 across the stated passband, indicating limited signal impact in antenna-line applications.

Q: Is indoor installation possible?

A: Yes. In addition to an entry-point location, the arrester can be installed at the equipment end of a cable run to provide another stage of line protection.