IROBs for phones IN building ? 1

[bithead9]

Hey folks,
I am a little puzzled. Came across a phone system Partner with the InRangeOut of Building protectors installed. They are used on phones within the building. Anyone know why this might be the case? I thought that these devices are for lightning protection on lines that go OUTSIDE to another building. (yet are in range 1000' or less from the processor). I am thinking that maybe some of the lines are run on outside walls and are therefore exposed to lightning ?

 

[jinxs]

You don't need the Irobs for in-building use. The only reasoning I can think of is someone who is unexperienced did a phone swap and never removed the ext from the IROB. Yet, to answer your question, no, you do not need IROBS for phones within' the building.

 

[392]

More likely the system was installed elsewhere and, when moved and reinstalled, the IROBs were also reinstalled "just because".

There's little reason they'd need to be installed on an in-house system if the system was installed correctly in the first place and within specs. They don't filter noise, they don't extend range, etc. The only reason to install them is to protect the station port(s) from transient electrical surges. If the system was installed in a plant where phone sets could be exposed to water and high power (over 250 vac) or some such, or where a set could be exposed to welding arcs or something, they might help protect the port.

Just one+ additional point for failure.

 

[bithead9]

Thanks for everyone's input. One last thing. Do you think its possible that the reason could be for extention lines that run outisde the building as in up the outside wall and reenter the upper floors ? In theory the lines are exposed to the outside world. (hence lightning) Does that justify an IROB ?

 

[392]

Absolutely! Any cabling exposed to the outside in any fashion would need additional protection, and the IROBs are for that. A proximity lightning strike could over-flash the entire exterior of a wet building, and the cable would be exposed to that strike. But this falls into that gray area of "properly installed", and a proper installation would not expose station cabling in such a fashion. Forget the ports, too much chance for fire by the cabling arcing to ground in a wall from a strike! Be careful of what your liability might be on this one..... Better to inform the customer (in writing) that the cabling is not to code.

 

[bithead9]

Thanks for that confirmation. I figured they were there for a reason. Yes I agree that the unconventional wiring is a problem. I will let them know and suggest they rerun the cables inside. Certainly safer for the station user in a storm!