Lightning protection for a Partner system? 3

[Papagigo]

I looked at an 8 year old Partner system in a carrier (5 slot, I think?)at one of our offices, and couldn't see any bonding and grounding. What are the grounding specs for this system? Also aren't IROBs supposed to be used for all out of building sets, or is that just for the Legend/Magix systems..

Thanks

 

[upstateny]

Grounding of the Partner has always been back and forth - the older Partner systems do not have provisions on the KSU - the ACS does but nowhere in the manuals or instructions is this addressed (unless i missed it) and yes any wire to any phone in an outbuilding should have protection regardless of the type of system.

 

[Papagigo]

Thanks upstateny,

This Partner is used at an FAA site on a small airport with a few sets extended to out buildings along the runway. They have had all kinds of problems with it over the years. I see now why, with no IROB protection, it's a sitting duck for lightning. I know this the wrong group for this, but...If I upgrade to a Melin Magix, how well do the Partner sets work off it, I need that backlight feature?

Thanks,
Mike

PS does the name (Kim Agnew) ring a bell?

 

[franke]

Both the Partner ACS and Merlins are required to be grounded by at least a #12 AWG ground (Green or Gray or a predominance of Green or Gray, as per the NEC). Grounds should be attached to an approved ground, i.e. earth ground, building steel, cold water pipe (again, as per the NEC). In addition, you should have at a minimum, CO line protector(s) such as the towerMAX series, and AC surge protection. For some installers out there, a piece of jumper wire run to the screw of an electrical outlet does NOT constitute a proper ground.

IROB's should be used anytime a set is located off site and requires 2 for each telephone (1 at each end).

Partner phones work fine with the Merlin (016 ETR module), though I've never paid attention as to whether the backlight is always on.

franke

 

[Papagigo]

franke,

Thank you for the information, I forgot about the CO lines being a way for lightning to get in.
So if I isolate the CO lines, add 2 IROB per Off-Prem set, ground properly with #12 and use a UPS for the power I should be covered..

Mike

 

[upstateny]

Went to high school with a couple of Agnew's - where was he/she from??

 

[itpphoneguy]

Hi Papagigo,
Yes, that should do it. Remember that the earth should be the same point as the hydro earth or you will have a ground loop. Watch out for "tech grounds" or confirm they are at hydro ground. Spikes are dynamic and you can easily end up with very high currents between hydro and tech grounds if they aren't done right.
-Chris

 

[jlshelton]

If you look at Avaya's documentation for Merlin Plus installation, you'll see some good grounding recommendations. They recommend having the bonded ground wire be in close proximity to the CO line wiring, back to building entrance. Not always possible, but seems like a good idea where you can. (I"ve done this in my home installations.) This gives lightning one more easy path to ground should it make it past the building-entrance lightning protector.

Partner systems also have heat-related failures of the power supply components; is your FAA installation well ventilated?

Finally, floating around on the Merlin forum is a document describing some limitations of using Partner phones on Legend/Magix. I understand the diaplay backlighting works, but there are some other features that do not, and I cannot recall them right now.

 

[itpphoneguy]

Hi,
Basically the Partner phones work totally differently on a Magix system. I prefer to change the phones to TDL types as the customers will try to use the phones the way they did on the Partner. This will generate lots of complaints. If the phones are different, the end users seem to adjust easier. I think the differences are in the magix documentation under ETR types. There is a comparision chart.
-Chris

 

[Papagigo]

Thanks to all for the valuable info..
`What a wealth of Knowledge in this group!