I’ve been asked this question a number of times and, as you might expect, there are a variety of conditions that call for wireless connectivity. The most novel condition arose from an installation in Asia. When I asked why he insisted upon wireless extension, the integrator replied that wired connectivity was simply not reliable because “rodents love to nibble through the wires but they can’t bite into wireless”. Although this ranks among the most novel answers that I’ve ever heard, it’s not the most relevant to all readers.
Ground loop current is much more relevant. Unintended ground loop current occurs when two devices connected to different ground planes are interconnected via a data cable. Ground plane voltage differences act like poles of a battery and cause current to flow through the data cable. These damaging currents cause UTP extenders to run hot and burn out over time. This condition is most problematic when UTP cabling is used to interconnect extenders between buildings or across long distances within a building. A spark when connecting the UTP cable to the extender or the extender to the AC mains may be a symptom of ground loop current.
If you suspect that two extenders are connected to different ground planes, then wireless connectivity is an excellent alternative that allows you to avoid the high costs resulting from business down time, extender replacements and field service calls. As with rodents, ground loop current can’t bite into a wireless connection. Tune in next week for Q&A on related connectivity topics.
Ground loop current is much more relevant. Unintended ground loop current occurs when two devices connected to different ground planes are interconnected via a data cable. Ground plane voltage differences act like poles of a battery and cause current to flow through the data cable. These damaging currents cause UTP extenders to run hot and burn out over time. This condition is most problematic when UTP cabling is used to interconnect extenders between buildings or across long distances within a building. A spark when connecting the UTP cable to the extender or the extender to the AC mains may be a symptom of ground loop current.
If you suspect that two extenders are connected to different ground planes, then wireless connectivity is an excellent alternative that allows you to avoid the high costs resulting from business down time, extender replacements and field service calls. As with rodents, ground loop current can’t bite into a wireless connection. Tune in next week for Q&A on related connectivity topics.
- Chuck Pheterson, VP, product marketing, Connectivity and Control Division of Avocent.
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