30
Safety Instructions
GPS Equipment User Manual -2.0.0en
Main hazards in use, continued
Suggestion for design of a
Lightning Conductor for a GPS
Antenna
1. On non-metallic structures
Protection by Air Terminals is
recommended. An Air Terminal is a
pointed solid or tubular rod of
conducting material with proper
mounting and connection to a
conductor. The position of 4 Air
Terminals should be uniformly
distributed around the Antenna at a
distance equal to the height of the Air
Terminal. The Air Terminal diameter
should be 12mm for copper or 15mm
for aluminium. The height of the Air
Terminals should be 25 to 50cm. All
Air Terminals should be connected to
the down conductors. The diameter
of the Air Terminal should be kept to
a minimum to reduce GPS signal
shading.
2. On metallic structures
Protection is as described for non-
metallic structures, but the Air Termi-
nals can be connected directly to the
conducting structure without the need
for down conductors.
- If a GPS Antenna has to be
permanently mounted in an
exposed location, it is advisable to
provide a lightning conductor
system. A suggestion on how to
design a lightning conductor for a
GPS Antenna is given below.
Always follow the regulations in
force in your country with regard to
grounding Antennas and masts.
These installations must be carried
out by an authorised specialist.
- Additional protection against
lightning:
If there is a risk of a thunderstorm,
or if the equipment is to remain
unused and unattended for a long
period, protect your Leica
Geosystems GPS equipment
additionally by unplugging all
systems components and
disconnecting all connecting
cables and supply cables (e.g..
Receiver - Antenna).