rizal sharif <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Dear all, > > I intent to network one PC in our security house with > the main office using UTP cable. The distance is > around 70 meter between these buldings. The cable will > be laid through the existing telephone manhole and > covered using G.I pipe. > > However, I'm concern of the lightning surge that can > damage the switch at main office and the PC at the > security house. I'm looking for a reliable surge > protecter that can be placed at both end of the UTP > cable. Any ideas? > > My second option is to use 4-core external fiber optic > cable with 2 units, 100Mbps or 10 Mbps media > converter. But cost is an issue since it's only one > network point involves. > > If somebody has any experiance with this kind of > arrangement, please share it with me. I had also > contacted my vendor and they advice me to use fiber > optic cable. I do some work for a voice/data cabling company, and while it is not generally accepted as good practice, it is done anyway. When running copper underground, it is usually higher pair count for voice applications, and then, it is protected at each end with a protector panel. These panels have a socket array for you to install special fuses that protect againts surges. These are not compaitble with data applications though. In almost all situations, data is run through fiber. However, due to cost concerns, CAT5 UTP is still run underground in conduit for short distances. The chances of such a lightning strike that close are remote, and even then, just the proximity of it would probably blow out most anything electronic in the house anyway. Just make sure that you get underground rated cable, standard PVC or plenum cable will deteriorate in 5 years or so. -- Russ Poffenberger Engineering Specialist Schlumberger Technologies ATE DOMAIN: [log in to unmask] 150 Baytech Drive San Jose, Ca. 95134 Voice: (408)586-6718 FAX: (408)586-4675 Visit our website regularly for FAQs, articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more http://freepctech.com