Antenna Installation and Commissioning Checklist

This article is about Antenna Installation and Commissioning Checklist of Communications Systems as per International Codes and standards.

Antenna Installation and Commissioning Checklist

Installation

1. Verify and ensure during the installation of antennas/dishes that the proper type, size as per the approved IFC drawings are used.
2. Verify that Antennas and towers associated with the Radio Systems are connected to the building ground electrode outside the building.
3. During the installation of “”VHF/UHF”” Antenna on Self Supporting Towers””, verify that:
   a) The coaxial type of antenna is protected by connecting a star gap arrestor between:
   – Inner coaxial conductor (whip), and
   – Outer coaxial conductor (skirt) of the antenna.”
4. Verify the radiating element of the collinear-array type omnidirectional gain antenna is grounded.
5. Verify that bonding of the coaxial outer conductor to tower structure or down ground lead at the top, and at the bottom of the tower and at 60 m (200 feet) maximum intervals along the length of the coaxial cable is achieved.
6. If the antenna support is mounted on a building with a metal frame and the antenna support is metal, verify that bonding of the antenna support and the coaxial outer conductor to the metal building frame with Class II secondary conductor cable [14 strands each of no less than #17 AWG (1.29 mm²) Copper conductor cable] is achieved.
7. Verify that connection of down guys to the ground rod as detailed on standard drawing AA-036765 is achieved.
8. Verify the location and orientation of antenna is correct and proper cable path to the equipment is provided
9. Verify that each antenna is tested per the vender’s specifications and S. Aramco specifications for the VSWR (Return Loss):
   a) Maximum VSWR = 1.5:1 or
   b) Maximum Return Loss = -14 dB”
10. Verify and review the physical installation of the antenna, cabling and racking for consistency with the IFC drawings.

Standards Codes and References for Antenna Installation

1. SAES-T-795, Communication Facility Grounding System.
2. SAES-T-887-Telecommunications: Electrical Coordination Protection at Power Plants and Radio Stations.

3. SAES-T-492,”VHF/UHF Land-Mobile & Fixed Radio Communication.

Telecom Closet / Telecom Equipment Room Size And Location.

Telecommunications Infrastructure Design Process.

J-STD-607-A Commercial Building Grounding (Earthing) and Bonding Requirements For Telecommunications.

ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard.

Telecommunications Outside Plant Systems Design SAES-T-938 Download.