WLAN
Connectors, adaptors, cables, lightning arrestors

On this page you will find:

• connectors and adaptors
• Coaxial cables
• Lightning arrestors

Coaxial connectors and adaptors

WiMo offers a wide range of connectors and adaptors. here we only show a selection relevantto WLAN usw. A full list of coaxial connectors can be found here.

Reverse or not Reverse - what is what?

SMA, TNC, BNC, N and some other connectors are available as normal and "reverse" versions. This is relevant to the type of center conductor - where you would expect a female contact is a male and vice versa. Since the introduction of these reverse types the meaning of "jack" and "plug" have become quite confused...: We keep to the rule that something with an outer thread is a jack (usually found on a router), something with an inner thread is a plug.

	Outer conductor	Center conductor
Normal plug:	Inner thread	Male
Normal jack:	Outer thread	Female
Reverse plug:	Inner thread	Female
Reverse jack:	Outer thread	Male

SMA jack, normal and reverse (ca. 200kb)
SMA plug, normal and reverse (ca. 200kb)

Size comparision of commonly used connectors

To aid you in selecting the right connector for your WiFi equipment, here are some size comparisions of connectoirs commonly used with WiFi equipment.

Do it yourself Crimp connectors

If you plan to attach the connectors yourself you will find here the sizes for cable cutoffs. Please note that these measures can vary slightly depending on manufacturer of cable and connector. Tools for crimping connectors are here.

Connectors and adaptors

Adaptors

Adaptor RP-SMA plug / RP-SMA jack
Ideal for cramped spaces and to avoid sharp bends in cables: RP-SMA jack to RP-SMA plug adaptor, 90° angled. Insertion loss approx. 0.2dB @2.4GHz.

42910.REV 8.50 EUR Buy now

Adaptor RP-TNC plug to RP-SMA jack
Very useful when you have an antenna with RP-SMA plug and a WiFi device with RP-TNC jack... just insert this adaptor and go. Insertion loss approx. 0.2dB @2.4GHz.

42805 6.95 EUR Buy now

Adaptor RP-SMA plug to RP-TNC jack
Very useful when you have an antenna with RP-TNC plug and a WiFi device with RP-SMA jack... just insert this adaptor and go. Insertion loss approx. 0.2dB @2.4GHz.

42806 6.95 EUR Buy now

SSMB Connector for many UMTS cards, aka "Nano-SMB" or "SMB nano". Crimp connector for RG-316, angled.

42940 7.00 EUR Buy now
42940.L long shaft 12.00 EUR Buy now

Adaptor RP-SMA plug to N jack (female)
To connect larger antenna cables with N connector to a device with RP-SMA jack. Available from June 2007 on.

42873.REV 7.90 EUR Buy now

Adaptor RP-SMA jack/N plug
42872.REV 7.50 EUR Buy now

Connectors

Series SMA

Series N

Series TNC

Miniature connectors for PCMCIA, miniPCI etc.

Series BNC

Series SMB

Coaxial cables

Here you will find coaxial cables used in WLAN environments, of course there are more types available. See here.

To connect your WiFi device to the antenna a coaxial cable is required. These cables always have an impedance of 50Ω. The cable used in TV applications has an impedance of 75Ω and cannot be used for wireless-LAN.

Here are some rough guidelines to select the proper cable:

Applies to 802.11b and 802.11g (2.4GHz)
• Up to 3m you can use RG-58, better is H-155
• Up to 8m you should use H-155
• Above 8m you should use Ecoflex-10, Aircom+ or Ecoflex-15, perhaps use Pigtails to adapt to smaller connector systems

Cable types

Lightning arrestors

Lightning arrestor should be used with any outdoor antenna, especially when mounted high on the rooftop on a mast. Even lower antennas can be subject to large over voltages in the vicinity of a lightning strike.

Where to mount the lightning protection?

You can install the lightning protection at two places:
Either directly at or below the antenna (if mechanically possible) or at the other end of the antenna cable, close to your WiFi equipment. It is important to have a good grounding system close to the lightning protection, the device must be grounded to work properly. Usually the antenna mast is grounded, so it is most convenient to locate the protection near the antenna and connect it to the mast.
Attention: The ground wire of the 240V AC system is not a suitable ground for such lightning protection. Use the proper ground of the electrical instalaltion in your house. In case of doubt consult a professional electrician!

Please note that the usual lightning protection cannot be directly mounted to some antennas, due to mechanical reasons. The applies for example to GP-2400, PA-13R20 (not PA-13R17, not PA-13R) and some other antennas. Fort these antennas a short N extension is required to get a little bit away from the antenna.

Note: the lightning protection device are nearly watertight but should be additionally protected (as any outdoor connection). Suitable sticky tape is our article number 23065.

Lightning arrestors here.