IL42-4032A December 2008
2
The external antenna connects to the ILC/ILN option board using a connector lead as shown in Figure 1. There are
two options available for connecting an external antenna:
■ Local external antenna
■ Remote external antenna
Figure 1. Retaining clip and connector lead
Local External Antenna
If the A3 ALPHA meter is used in a metal service cabinet, using a local external antenna may be necessary. To obtain
better coverage, the local external antenna can be mounted on the top of the metal service cabinet or the meter
socket enclosure (see [1] in Figure 2).
Elster recommends the Laird/Antenex 902-928 MHz permanent mount antenna (TRA9023P). To mount the antenna
on the service cabinet or meter socket enclosure, drill a 5/8-inch hole into the cabinet wall with a step drill. Insert the
antenna through the hole. After the antenna is mounted, the antenna’s Type N female connector can be mated with the
meter’s Type N male connector.
For installations where the mounting of the local antenna does not provide a conductive metallic ground plane, the
Antenex TRA9023NP (no ground plane required) may be employed. The gain and pattern are virtually identical with the
TRA9023P version. The TRA9023NP antenna may also be employed on metallic ground planes with good results.
Remote External Antenna
If the A3 ALPHA meter is used in a metal building, or the meter is installed in a location where the site requires an
antenna at a greater height, a remote antenna may be used. If a remote external antenna is used, a lightning/surge
arrestor should be installed at the bottom of the socket enclosure (see [2] in Figure 2). Elster recommends a
PolyPhaser DSXL IN-LINE EMP surge filter (Tessco P/N 491574).
1
Do not use a standard RG-8/U cable with solid polyethylene dielectric. The losses in solid dielectric RG-8/U cables in
short distances make solid dielectric RG-8/U cables unacceptable.
1
PolyPhaser Corporation, 2225 Park Place, Minden, NV 89423. Telephone: 800-325-7170.
Website: polyphaser.com.
N-type connector
to external antenna
Connector lead
External antenna
connection lead
Wire tie
Retaining clip
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