Should I ground outdoor Ethernet and how do I add surge protection to an outdoor PoE run

Updated Source: QSG Rev Source: QSG Rev Asked 5 times
Quick answer

Yes. Any Ethernet run that leaves the building, whether to an outdoor camera, a pole-mounted radio or a detached building, should get an inline surge protector that is bonded to ground. Ubiquiti's ETH-SP-G2 is a passive, surge-protected RJ45 inline unit that passes gigabit data and PoE.

Steps

From: ETH-SP-G2 quick guide, pp. 1-2, 11

  1. Plan the location
    Install the ETH-SP-G2 near the Ethernet device it protects, such as next to the camera or radio on the same pole or wall.
  2. Pick a grounding method
    Either fasten the unit with the included self-tapping screw directly to a grounded metal pole or structure and use STP cable, or attach a drain wire with an M5 machine screw and nut to a remote grounding block or structure.
  3. Size the drain wire
    If you use a drain wire, keep it short and heavy: no smaller than the gauge listed and no longer than the length listed in the specs below. Place the included serrated washer between the screw and the drain wire so it bites through to bare metal.
  4. Mount the unit
    For a pole, drill with a 4.5 mm bit and use a metal strap or cable tie; if the device is already strapped to the pole you can share the strap. For a wall, use two screws with heads no larger than 5 mm.
  5. Connect Ethernet
    Plug the cable from the switch or PoE injector into one RJ45 port and the cable to the device into the other. The ports pass data and PoE straight through.
  6. Protect the indoor end
    On runs between buildings, add a second grounded protector where the cable enters the building so a strike on the cable doesn't reach the switch.

Specs & limits

From: ETH-SP-G2 quick guide, pp. 2, 11

Ports(2) RJ45 female, 10/100/1000 Ethernet
PoEIEEE 802.3af PoE support
DC spark-over voltage90V @ 100V/s
Maximum impulse spark-over700V @ 1kV/µs
Drain wire≤ 16 AWG, ≤ 40 cm
Operating temperature-30 to 65° C (-22 to 149° F)

Common mistakes

From: ETH-SP-G2 quick guide, pp. 1, 12

  • Mounting it without a ground. The unit can only shunt a surge if the grounding point is bonded to a grounded pole, structure or grounding block.
  • Using unshielded cable with the pole-ground method. Ubiquiti specifies STP cable when grounding directly to the pole or structure.
  • Installing during a storm or where it can be submerged. The safety notices warn against both.

Applies to

ETH-SP-G2 · Passive (no firmware)

Also asked as: “how do I ground an ETH-SP-G2 surge protector”

Sources

  1. ETH-SP-G2 Quick Start Guide, p. 1 (QSG Rev )
  2. ETH-SP-G2 Quick Start Guide, p. 2 (QSG Rev )
  3. ETH-SP-G2 Quick Start Guide, p. 11 (QSG Rev )
  4. ETH-SP-G2 Quick Start Guide, p. 12 (QSG Rev )
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