I've seen 'em all burn up - from something as simple as a speck of dust on an insulator. Depending on the electrical distance between the tx pwr probe and the arc, the tx might not have seen enough change in impedance to trip the detector. We burned up another brand combiner in Seattle this way - if it wasn't for a weak point in our tx, it would have melted to the ground - tx burned out its own combiner and shut down as a result of that. A design change and a site visit later, and all ok.
While the choice of manufacturer may have had some impact, I had part of an ERI combiner section do the same thing. It was at Z100 in the 'Alford' master antenna era, when the system was strung out over several levels in the 'mooring mast' of the Empire State Building, one of the dirtiest environments I have worked in.
I gotta say that ERI's response was second to none, as it was diagnosed and fixed very quickly.
I couldn't wait for them to construct the new master FM combiner and antenna!
It kind of goes out a few times. Did the transmitter get turned back on? Another reason to not carpet transmitter rooms was the shower of sparks that came out, which most likely would have started a fire if it were carpeted. I have seen carpeted transmitter rooms...
I've seen 'em all burn up - from something as simple as a speck of dust on an insulator. Depending on the electrical distance between the tx pwr probe and the arc, the tx might not have seen enough change in impedance to trip the detector. We burned up another brand combiner in Seattle this way - if it wasn't for a weak point in our tx, it would have melted to the ground - tx burned out its own combiner and shut down as a result of that. A design change and a site visit later, and all ok.
RFWarrior 2 years ago
While the choice of manufacturer may have had some impact, I had part of an ERI combiner section do the same thing. It was at Z100 in the 'Alford' master antenna era, when the system was strung out over several levels in the 'mooring mast' of the Empire State Building, one of the dirtiest environments I have worked in.
I gotta say that ERI's response was second to none, as it was diagnosed and fixed very quickly.
I couldn't wait for them to construct the new master FM combiner and antenna!
rrsounds 2 years ago
It kind of goes out a few times. Did the transmitter get turned back on? Another reason to not carpet transmitter rooms was the shower of sparks that came out, which most likely would have started a fire if it were carpeted. I have seen carpeted transmitter rooms...
phsakrison 2 years ago
Why didn't the VSWR interlock shut the RF down? Also, are there no ionization detectors in the room?
Sorry to see this happen to anyone, hope to never see it here!
gwblau 2 years ago
should've bought from ERI !
jimmyjewbutt 2 years ago
Your right, they should have....
floridatowers 2 years ago
omg this is the most interesting thing ever.
jgoalpost 2 years ago