Specifications

Alto 818 Installation and Operation
3-10 P/N 66109074001 Rev. D
3.5 COAXIAL CABLE INSTALLATION
The correct installation of coax cable will minimize the time and cost of the system installation.
When not installed in accordance with the rules provided below, system faults may occur that are
difficult to isolate.
 Coaxial cables used on Alto 818 installations must be SE 9284-type cables. Substitutions are
not permitted unless written approval is obtained from WSE. See Appendix C for a list of
approved cable vendors.
 Maximum run length of coax cables must be held to 1,000 feet (305 meters).
 Do not ground coax cable shield - this will cause ground loops.
 Reader coax cables and lock cables may share a common conduit run. However, bundling
or sharing conduit runs with other building cables should be avoided. Use care in parallel runs
keeping coax at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from high voltage (>24 VAC) lines or 3 feet (1 m) away
when in grounded conduit.
Never bundle or run coax cables with high energy cable. Low energy signal wires (coax cable
or shielded wire types) that carry signals outside the 1.5 to 27.5 MHz range may be bundled
with the sensor cables. Paging system wiring is prohibited.
 Avoid splicing coax cables. If splicing is necessary, terminate both ends with a crimped
connector and then use an F-81C barrel connector. Shrink tubing or electricians tape must
be used to protect against ground faults on all splices. No solder splices are allowed. Silicone
grease on the threads is advised in extremely damp locations.
 Plastic cable clamps and tie-wraps must be used to secure cables to beams, walls, and
ceilings. Staples must never be used. Clamps must not be tightened so that they distort the
cables. Running cable in wire troughs, cable hooks, and conduit is preferred; loose bundling
is required. Use care when pulling coax.
 Coax cable should not be mechanically distorted. Cable bends must have a minimum radius
of one inch (2.54 cm). Service lengths of cable must not be coiled.
 Coax cables should not be exposed to rain or underground water. When cables will be buried
or otherwise come in contact with water, all-weather WSE approved types such as SE 9284DB
SE 9284PL, or SE 9284EL must be used.
 Use F-56 type cable connectors only. Use a the proper size crimp tool, do not leave the crimp
ring loose and do not over crimp. Avoid cutting the center conductor too short T-splitters are
not permitted.