360 Systems MAXX Operation Manual

Contents

360 Systems MAXX Operation Manual Manual pdf 21 page image

Installation 19Important Installation NotesOperating EnvironmentA video server is the most critical element in a broadcast operation. Its installation shouldsafeguard it from every external event that can interfere with it doing the task expected of it. 360Systems’ engineers have experience with thousands of installations, and have become aware of anumber of environmental factors that can adversely affect performance. Two of of these havealready been discussed: power conditioning and inadequate cooling. Two others, less obvious,should also be considered:RF Interference by Cel PhonesMany people are not aware that cel phones can attain a very substantial power output,even when no conversation is taking place. You may have experienced the effect of a cel phoneinterfering with a common desk phone placed nearby. Carrying a cel phone into a machine roomwhere it is in close proximity to broadcast equipment and its associated wiring is unwise. They areable to interfere with serial control commands, video synchronization, and in some cases can crashthe CPU in equipment.Some major broadcasters prohibit the carrying of cel phones into certain machine areas.360 Systems believes that the risk of undesired equipment behavior from their RF fields is very real.Static DischargeStatic electricity discharge is accepted by most people as an inevitable consequence ofliving in a dry area. It is, rather, a result of floor coverings that may enhance appearances, but areinappropriate for use around critical pieces of broadcast equipment. Static discharge can do twoadverse things:• Discharge into a connector can—and will—destroy internal circuitry of equipment. The resultwill always be difficult to diagnose and repair.• Discharge to equipment frames or wiring can crash a CPU and take the station off the air. Theevent may seem random or unrelated to static, but it is clearly a catastrophic event—and onethat can repeat indefinitely as humidity varies.Several steps can be taken to protect equipment from static discharge:• Do not install critical broadcast equipment (video servers) in a room with carpeting.• Connect equipment racks directly to an earth ground with a heavy copper conductor.• Do not operate equipment with a lifted safety ground (green frame ground).• Install a humidifier to reduce the level of static discharge.