Circa Telecom

Area Of Inquiry:

General Inquiries	Module Questions	Grounding & Bonding
Terminal (BET) Help	Installation Support

How do Circa protectors function?	Will Circa's modules work for both digital and analog lines?
What are the differences between digital (solid state) and analog (gas)?	How do you know if a module is functioning correctly?
Which voltage level of module should you use? What are the correct module voltages for certain PBX systems (Meridian, Key, Mitel, Alcatel, Panasonic, etc.)?	Do all the modules in a protector need to be present if they are not being used?
What is the advantage of a "Balanced" module?	What is the purpose of the backup air gap (spark gap)?
Is there a module that provides sneak current protection?	Do balanced analog (gas tubes) and balanced digital (solid state) devices perform the same?
Will Circa's protector's work with a Cisco LRE (long reach Ethernet)? Will the protectors introduce any noise into the line?

How do Circa protectors function?
Circa protectors use industry-standard 5-pin protector modules or station protectors, in either the digital (solid state) and analog (gas) variety, with or without overcurrent protection. These devices measure the amount of electricity and divert an electrical surge to a common ground connection, thus saving your costly telecommunication equipment. When the voltage has dissipated the module resets automatically. Note: Every pair of Outside Plant (OSP) cable that enters a building must be terminated and protected with a 5-pin module, no loose wires.

What are the differences between Digital (Solid State) and Analog (Gas)?
Digital (solid state) offers a quicker response time for special equipment such as PBX systems. Analog (gas tube) offers a higher current handling capability, however the response time is slower. (Normally used with voice lines)

Digital (solid state) protection is preferred over analog (gas tube) protection for EVERY application, EXCEPT for CAT5 / CAT5e. ALL T1, E1, xDSL (ADSL, HDSL, VDSL) lines are CAT3. Gas tubes are marketed as more robust than digital (solid state). Gas tubes will handle extremely high current surges (10,000 A) for 10 applications. Solid state devices will function once at this current, and then fuse to ground to minimize equipment damage. This level of current represents a direct or almost direct lightning strike. With a lightning strike of this nature, it is still better to have the faster reaction time of a solid state device, and replace a inexpensive module versus expensive line equipment.

Which voltage level of module should you use? What are the correct module voltages for certain PBX systems (Meridian, Key, Mitel, Alcatel, Panasonic, etc.)?
Each system to be protected has a constant operating voltage or an operating voltage range. Inquire with the system manufacturer as to what that maximum voltage is, then choose the 5 pin protector module with the next higher voltage level available. If the voltage level of the 5 pin protector module is equal to or less than your system operating voltage, the protector module will be in a constant state of breakover and no signal will pass through to your system. Many PBX systems run on 60 Volts or less. Therefore, 75 Volt modules will work for all applications. The Meridian phone system runs on low voltage (+/- 15 VDC). The 30V module is a perfect choice for it. Circa recommends contacting the PBX manufacturer to obtain the operating voltages of the equipment being protected before deploying protection.

Suggested Uses:
Most PBXs: 30V Solid State, PTC (C4B1S-30)
Analog Pots: 240V (C3B1F / C3B1FS-BAL)
xDSL or T1/E1 (/wo differential line voltages): 300V Balanced Solid State (C3B1S-BAL)
xDSL or T1/E1 (/w differential line voltages): 300V Unbalanced Solid State (C3B1S)
RS-232 Lines: 30V (C3B3S-30)

Note:
Solid-state protection is preferred over gas tube protection for EVERY application, EXCEPT for CAT5 / CAT5e. ALL T1, E1, xDSL (ADSL, HDSL, VDSL) lines are CAT3. Gas tubes are marketed as more robust than digital (solid state). Gas tubes will handle extremely high current surges (10,000 A) for 10 applications. Solid-state devices will function once at this current, and then short to ground to minimize equipment damage. This level of current represents a direct or almost direct lightning strike. With a lightning strike of this nature, it is still better to have the faster reaction time of a solid state device, and replace a cheap module versus expensive line equipment.

C4XX series (PTC) modules CANNOT be used on lines that supply power to additional devices. I.E. Sirens, remote powered phones, power wires for Power Over Ethernet systems (Note: They CAN be used on the data lines on Power Over Ethernet systems).

What is the advantage of a "Balanced" module?
A balanced design allows for an equalization of any surge current between tip and ring to ground. This prevents any transient surges from travelling back to the equipment.

Is there a module that provides sneak current protection?
Circa modules can be ordered with a PTC device (positive temperature coefficient) which guards against sneak current. (A PTC is simply a heat activated resistor.) The PTC device is superior to heat coil technology. Heat coils are only single use while a PTC resets automatically for most non-catastrophic surges.

Will Circa's protector's work with a Cisco LRE (long reach Ethernet)? Will the protectors introduce any noise into the line?
Cisco LRE was introduced to give high-speed Internet to buildings without Category 5 wiring. It also extends the Ethernet distance from 100 m to 1524 m. All our protectors should functionally work with the LRE, since it is just Category 3 communications. Our protectors should not add any additional noise to the line.

Will Circa's modules work for both digital and analog lines?
Yes. The solid state modules, and gas tube modules will work for analog and digital signals up to Category 3 rating. The non-PTC gas tube modules will work for analog and digital signals up to Category 5e rating. We currently do not have external certification verifying our Category 3 or Category 5e compliance. Regardless, the operating voltage of the device to be protected needs to be verified for proper protection.

How do you know if a module is functioning correctly?
A Telco test-set (butt-set) can be attached to the module via the test points to verify that the fail-safe has not been tripped. To verify if the surge suppression is still functioning, the module must be removed from service and tested with a module tester or similar piece of test equipment (I.E. Bourns).

Do all the modules in a protector need to be present if they are not being used?
All locations that have wire terminated to the incoming side need to have modules installed, regardless if the outgoing side is not connected. For example, if all six pairs are wired to the incoming field of a protector, then all six modules need to be installed. If only four pairs are wired to the incoming field, then only those four modules need be installed.

What is the purpose of the backup air gap (spark gap)?
The backup air gap was installed to protect customer equipment from surges should the gas leak out of the gas tube protectors. This air gap was calibrated to route surges of 1500 Volts or greater to ground. All of Circa's gas tube products have passed the Underwriter Laboratories sealed test program, and no longer require the backup air gap.

Do balanced analog (gas tubes) and balanced digital (solid state) devices perform the same?
No. The term "balanced" gets used when identifying gas tube arresters as well as solid state arresters. It tends to be used in a form that makes it seem like they both function the same, but realistically, they function totally different. (Continued)

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