500 foot run

[WattsUp32482]

What is everyone's opinion on running long distance outside? I've got a well tank up a mountain with a radar reading level (4 to 20mA), 500 feet down are the panels! The problem has been lighting strikes, starting to wonder if the electrical lines would be better up at the tank instead of the signal wire!? (I have tried surge protection on the low voltage) Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[petersonra]

Have you considered running 120 volts up the hill in the conduit and instead of a 4 to 20 milliamp signal coming back using some kind of radio?

 

[tom baker]

Yes there some point to point unlicensed radios, Banner is one mfg.

 

[synchro]

There are converters from 4-20mA to fiber optic and back again that could be used. You'd need to run power to the Tx unit, but I'd expect surge protection to be more effective on power wires than low level signal lines.

 

[WattsUp32482]

Have you considered running 120 volts up the hill in the conduit and instead of a 4 to 20 milliamp signal coming back using some kind of radio?

Hey how's it going!! Just an update, I did run single phase 120v up the hill using #8 wire! The radar has been working great, about 15 feet of cable and have had no issues....yet anyways!! This location we are using 123scada Mission Communications (cellular network)

 

[Carultch]

There are converters from 4-20mA to fiber optic and back again that could be used. You'd need to run power to the Tx unit, but I'd expect surge protection to be more effective on power wires than low level signal lines.

Agreed. Fiber optic lines have the advantage of being made completely from an insulator, which stops lighting as well as ground potential gradients from becoming an issue for the signal line. If you have to run power already, you might as well use some of it to power the media converter, to keep any unintentional current off of the communication line. Fiber optic lines also have a range advantage.

 

[tom baker]

Hey how's it going!! Just an update, I did run single phase 120v up the hill using #8 wire! The radar has been working great, about 15 feet of cable and have had no issues....yet anyways!! This location we are using 123scada Mission Communications (cellular network)

Thank you for the update, it’s not often we get feedback