The Sine Systems model SP-8 Surge Protector reduces the possibility of damage to the RFC-1 Remote Facilities Control system from high voltage transients generated by lightning and other sources. Using a combination of low-impedance interconnections, gas surge suppressors, metal-oxide varistors, and carbon-film resistors, it provides significant protection against voltage surges from the telephone line, the local telephone, and eight telemetry channels. It is designed to mount directly to the RP-8 Relay Panel (as shown) with metal standoffs that provide a very low impedance electrical connection to the RFC-1 and RP-8.
Experience has shown that the source of most surges to the RFC-1 is the telephone line. The gas-arrestors on the SP-8 provide greater protection against telephone line surges than most off-the-shelf devices that use only metal-oxide varistors.
The SP-8 is available in two models, the standard SP-8 and the SP-8/TO. The “/TO” designation denotes that the SP-8 protects “Telemetry Only”. In RFC-1 installations that have more than one RP-8 Relay Panel installed, the first relay panel should be protected with an SP-8. Additional relay panels can be protected with the lower priced SP-8/TO model that protects only the telemetry inputs of the additional relay panels. It is not harmful to use the standard SP-8 on all of the relay panels but the telephone line surge suppression will be redundant on relay panels other than the first and is not typically needed.
Model SP-8/TO can also be used on installations where the RAK-1 Intelligent Rack Adapter is used because the same telephone line surge suppression from the SP-8 is built into the RAK-1. The standard SP-8 will also work in these instalations but the redundant telehone line surge protection is not typically necessary.
The SP-8 package consists of a surge protector board assembly, five metal standoffs, two 24" modular telephone cords and installation instructions. It is a passive device and requires no power supply.
