N Female to N Female Lightning Arrester - DC - 3 GHz

Product Overview

Designed for coaxial transmission lines from DC to 3 GHz, this N Female to N Female lightning arrester provides a grounded protection point between an antenna system and connected radio equipment. The RF surge protector uses a replaceable 90 V gas discharge tube (GDT) rated for 10 kA on an 8/20 us waveform. In normal service, the GDT remains high impedance so RF energy can continue through the 50 ohm line. When a lightning-related transient appears, the tube conducts and directs surge energy toward the grounding lug rather than allowing it to continue along the cable path.

This 3 GHz coaxial lightning protection solution is intended for installations where signal continuity and a practical grounding path must be considered together. The GDT design keeps capacitance low and supports a stated insertion loss of 0.2 dB across the passband. It also allows the discharge element to be replaced after a significant event. Compared with some diode solutions, the operating threshold is higher; for many antenna-line applications, that balance supports RF transmission while still providing a path for high-energy transients.

Protection Mechanism and Construction

• Protection Element: The N Female to N Female lightning arrester contains a 90 V gas discharge tube with a stated 10 kA (8/20 us) discharge capability. Positioned in the central housing, the tube can be accessed for replacement without removing the cable assembly from the line.
• Grounding Path: A side-mounted ring terminal connects the unit to an earth bar through a grounding wire. For outdoor equipment surge protection, the path from the GDT to earth is an important installation consideration because lead length and inductance affect the transient energy that may remain at the equipment side.
• Body: The body is machined brass with corrosion-resistant plating. Its bulkhead form supports direct mounting through a panel or on a bulkhead, helping place the protection interface at a controlled cable-entry location.
• Connector Interface: N Female to N Female interfaces accept standard cable assemblies without an adapter change. Use applicable connector torque guidance during installation to maintain a consistent mechanical connection.

Reference Technical Specifications

The values below describe the referenced configuration of this RF surge protector. Confirm the final production configuration before using any value as a project requirement.

These reference values are associated with this protection family and should be verified against the delivered configuration.

Engineering Comparison

• vs. Quarter-Wave Stub: A quarter-wave stub is tuned to a design frequency and can ground DC, so its application is comparatively narrow. This N Female to N Female lightning arrester is specified from DC to 3 GHz, which makes it relevant where one antenna-line protection format is needed across multiple bands.
• vs. Diode-Based Protector: Diode limiters can clamp quickly but may introduce capacitance that influences upper-frequency use and power handling. The stated 0.2 dB insertion loss and 200 W reference power handling make this RF surge protector a consideration for compatible transmitter-line applications.
• vs. DC Block Surge Protector: A DC block prevents DC and low-frequency signals from continuing on the line, but it does not provide the same direct earth path for a high-energy event. This 3 GHz coaxial lightning protection device is designed to divert the surge through its grounding connection.

Applications

• Outdoor equipment, junction box, antenna base: For outdoor equipment surge protection, install the arrester on the antenna-line route to direct induced transients away from connected radio equipment.
• Tower and Rooftop Installations: The bulkhead-mounted RF surge protector can be placed at a cable entrance to establish an earth-referenced protection point before the cable reaches a shelter or cabinet.
• Multi-Band Radio Sites: The DC - 3 GHz passband is suited to radio sites that use more than one compatible band and seek to simplify installation planning without retuning a narrowband stub.
• Equipment Racks and Test Systems: At an equipment input, this N Female to N Female lightning arrester can serve as a 3 GHz coaxial lightning protection point for transients coupled through long cable runs before they reach radio modules or instrumentation.

Installation and Grounding Notes

• Grounding First: For outdoor equipment surge protection, connect the lug to the earth bar using the shortest practical grounding lead. A long or thin lead adds inductance and can reduce the effectiveness of the intended surge path.
• Mounting: Mount the bulkhead body with attention to the cable-entry arrangement and locate the arrester within the applicable lightning-protection zone.
• Torque and Sealing: Tighten the N Female to N Female connector interfaces according to the connector manufacturer’s torque guidance. For exposed installations, use weatherproofing tape or a weather boot over the connector interface.

OEM and B2B Support

• OEM Customization: For volume orders, custom connector combinations, alternate discharge-voltage options including 90 V and 230 V, and special plating are available.
• Cable Assembly Options: Factory-terminated jumper assemblies with the RF surge protector pre-installed can be supplied for plug-and-play installation.
• Packaging and Marking: Individual protective packaging, custom labeling, and batch test reports can be provided on request.

FAQ

Q: How often does the gas discharge tube need replacement?

A: The 90 V tube is rated at 10 kA (8/20 us). Following a major surge event, test the tube. If leakage is present or the tube does not pass a hold-off test, it can be replaced without replacing the entire N Female to N Female lightning arrester.

Q: Will this N Female to N Female lightning arrester affect my DC - 3 GHz signal?

A: The stated insertion loss is 0.2 dB and the stated VSWR is 1.25 or better across the passband, supporting low RF impact in compatible antenna-line applications.

Q: Can I use this arrester indoors?

A: Yes. In addition to a cable-entry location, the unit is commonly used at the equipment end of a cable run to add a second stage of protection.