N Male to N Female Lightning Arrester - DC - 6 GHz

Product Overview

This N Male to N Female lightning arrester is an in-line RF surge protector for 50 ohm coaxial systems operating from DC to 6 GHz. It is intended for antenna feeders and radio-side cable entries where transient energy needs a controlled path to earth before it reaches sensitive equipment. A replaceable 90 V gas discharge tube (GDT) forms the protective element. In normal service, the GDT remains non-conductive so RF signals pass through the device; during a surge, it conducts and directs energy toward the grounding connection. The stated insertion loss is 0.3 dB across the passband, helping the unit fit into antenna-line applications where signal continuity is important.

The GDT design is selected for its low-capacitance signal path and serviceable protection element. Unlike a fixed component that requires the entire protector to be replaced after a significant event, the tube in this N Male to N Female lightning arrester can be inspected and changed when required. Because gas-discharge protection generally has a higher operating threshold than diode-based protection, system placement and grounding quality remain central considerations for outdoor RF installations.

Protection Mechanism and Construction

• Protection Element: The unit uses a 90 V gas discharge tube rated for 10 kA on an 8/20 us surge waveform. Located in the central body, the tube is accessible for replacement without removing the connected cable assembly.
• Grounding Path: A side-mounted ring terminal provides the connection to the site earth bar. The short, direct route from the GDT to ground is a practical part of the protection system because it limits the transient energy that can continue toward connected equipment.
• Body: The bulkhead-format housing is machined brass with corrosion-resistant plating. This construction supports direct panel or bulkhead mounting at a cable entry or equipment boundary.
• Connector Interface: N Male to N Female interfaces connect with standard RF cable assemblies. Use the applicable connector torque guidance during installation.

Reference Technical Specifications

The following reference values describe the N Male to N Female lightning arrester configuration. Confirm final values against the production configuration selected for the project.

These values are reference data for this protection family and should be checked against the final production configuration.

Engineering Comparison

• vs. Quarter-Wave Stub: A quarter-wave solution is frequency-specific and can ground DC, so its useful range is narrower. With a DC - 6 GHz passband, this RF surge protector is suited to multi-band antenna lines that need one in-line protection point.
• vs. Diode-Based Protector: Diode devices can clamp differently but may add capacitance to an RF path. The stated 0.3 dB insertion loss and 150 W reference power handling make this GDT configuration relevant for applicable transmitter-line installations.
• vs. DC Block Surge Protector: A DC-blocking arrangement has a different function from an arrester that provides an earth path for surge energy. This unit is designed to route the discharge toward ground through its ring-terminal connection.

Applications

• 5G base station, DAS, small cell, tower-top equipment: This N Male to N Female lightning arrester can be positioned in antenna-line systems to support 5G base station surge protection where induced transients are a concern.
• Tower and Rooftop Installations: The bulkhead body can be mounted near a shelter, cabinet, or cable-entry point so the transmission line has a defined earth-reference connection at the installation boundary.
• Multi-Band Radio Sites: Its DC - 6 GHz operating range can support sites using more than one applicable band without a frequency-specific retuning step.
• Equipment Racks and Test Systems: The 6 GHz coaxial lightning protection point may be installed near equipment inputs or instruments connected by longer cable runs, adding a grounded protection stage before the RF front end.

Installation and Grounding Notes

• Grounding First: For effective 5G base station surge protection, connect the grounding lug to the earth bar with the shortest practical lead. A long or undersized grounding route increases inductance and can reduce the benefit of the arrester.
• Mounting: Install the bulkhead body with the grounding connection oriented toward the cable-entry arrangement and within the protected area defined by the site lightning-protection design.
• Torque and Sealing: Tighten the N connector interfaces according to the connector manufacturer guidance. For outdoor locations, apply suitable weatherproofing over the connector interface.

OEM and B2B Support

• OEM Customization: For volume orders, available options include custom connector combinations, 90 V or 230 V discharge-voltage alternatives, and special plating selections.
• Cable Assembly Options: Factory-terminated jumper assemblies with the arrester pre-installed can be supplied for installations that need a ready-to-connect cable configuration.
• 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 tube is rated for 10 kA on an 8/20 us waveform. Following a major surge event, test the tube for leakage and hold-off performance. If it does not pass the relevant check, the tube can be replaced without changing the complete arrester.

Q: Will this N Male to N Female lightning arrester affect a DC - 6 GHz signal?

A: The reference insertion loss is 0.3 dB and the maximum VSWR is 1.35 across the passband. These values describe the expected RF impact for applicable antenna-line use and should be confirmed for the final configuration.

Q: Can this arrester be used indoors?

A: Yes. It can be fitted at an equipment-end cable run as well as at an entry point, creating an additional grounded protection stage for connected RF equipment.