Panamax M2DF User manual

AC Protector:
120VAC, 50/60 Hz, 15 Ampere rating
UL 1449 TVSS rating 700 volts
Single Pulse Energy Absorption: 1200 Joules
Protection modes: L-N, L-G, N-G
Loop Protector:
Two wires protected
Clamping level: 70 volts
Surge withstand: 18,000A each wire
Easy spring-clip connections
Specifications subject to change without notice
MAX 2 Dog Fence
®
Premier Series Surge Protection for All Pet Containment Systems
EXCLUSIVE NEW TECHNOLOGY FROM PANAMAX
GUARANTEED LIGHTNING PROTECTION
Lifetime Product Warranty*
The surge protector shall be free of any
defects in design, materials, or workmanship,
and Panamax will repair or replace any
defective unit.
MAX 2 Dog Fence
Part# M2DF
SPECIFICATIONS
In the event of a rare catastrophic surge, such as a
massive direct lightning strike, it the
transmitter.
disconnects
Featuring Protect or Disconnect™ Circuitry
Protects Against AC Power Surges and Lightning
Specifically designed for use with all electronic
containment systems with protection for the AC and
transmitter loop.
Space Saving Design
Low profile unit plugs directly into the wall. The
transformer plugs into the side of the unit for better
balance and stability. There is an extra convenience
outlet.
Reduce the Risk of a System Failure
Protects the transmitter so it can continue to keep the
pet inside the designated safety zone.
Better Loop Connectors
Easier to attach the loop wires to the unit.
Power Indicator Light
Easy to see and shows power is on and protection is
working.
Increased Surge Current Ratings
The protector has a larger capacity to dissipate surges

Q & A - Lightning Protection for a Pet Containment System (PCS)
© 2001 Panamax The Panamax logo and MAX are registered
US trademarks of Panamax. Protect or Disconnect is a trademark
of Panamax.
L464 Preliminary
150 Mitchell Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94903
800-472-5555, 415-499-3900
www.panamax.com
Quick Connection Tips - See Instructions for Complete Information
FIGURE 1: Plug the lightning transformer
into a grounded (3 wire) 120V AC outlet
within five feet of where you want to locate
the transmitter.
FIGURE 2: Cut the loop wires near the
protector and strip all four ends back ¼ inch
FIGURE 3: Push the connector tab firmly
away from yourself. The connector jaws will
open. Push the stripped end of the wire into
the connector. Repeat with the other three
wires.
LOOP TRANSMITTER
FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3
1. Why do you need lightning protection at all? Pet Containment System transmitters are vulnerable to lightning-
induced surges from the AC power line, as all AC-powered equipment is. But there is an extra vulnerability for PCSs,
because the loop acts as an antenna, and can pick up lightning-induced currents/voltage from lightning even hundreds
of feet away. Lightning currents can be up to 100,000 Amperes, with voltages into the millions! Experience shows that
in difficult sites (frequent lightning, large loop, hilltop locations) transmitters will be damaged several times per year
unless they are protected.
2. Why can't I just use an ordinary AC protector? As stated above, PCS transmitters need to be protected BOTH
on the loop side and on the AC side. The loop protector needs to be specially designed for the PCS
frequencies/voltages.
3. Can I use separate protectors for the loop and AC? You can, but it won't work, unless the installation is very
carefully done. It is MUCH better to have the loop and AC protectors in one package. That eliminates connecting
wiring, and is less expensive, because only one housing is needed.
4. Can't I ground the loop to a ground rod and protect the loop that way? No. People tend to think, "Ground is
ground." The reality is very different. Depending on soil conditions, the resistance of an 8-foot ground rod can be from
20 ohms or so to 1000 ohms, or even more in rocky or dry earth. The resistance of a short (say 2 foot) rod would be
about 4 times larger- say 1000-4000 ohms! This can be easily measured with an ohmmeter. Lightning currents
coming into the loop from direct lightning can be several thousand amperes. Ohm's law tells you that a 1000 ohm
ground isn't going to take much current away from the loop.
Note that the NEC Article 250-52C requires that ground rods be AT LEAST 8 FEET long. The NEC also requires (250-
50) that all grounding electrodes be bonded (i.e., connected together) with a heavy conductor (Table 250-66).
5. Don't I have to worry about lightning currents being brought into the house by the loop? Yes, you do. The
PCS loop is one of the many paths that lightning can take to get inside the house. CATV, AC wiring, phone, and
TV/DBS antenna wires are other paths. The NEC describes how these various lines have to be protected- basically, by
passing lightning currents into the building grounding system. That's what the protector does.
The protector is UL Listed (approved) as an AC protector, and ALSO tested and approved as an "isolated loop
protector" for the PCS loop.
The protector contains fusible links on the loop side to limit the amount of lightning current that can come through to
values the protector can handle without damage. (About 20,000 ampere surge on each loop wire.)
6. What is the expected field life of the protectors? The few protectors that have been damaged suggest a field life
(MTBF) of AT LEAST 500 YEARS, and probably more, even in high-lightning areas.
7. If I bury the loop, do I still need a protector? YES! Lots of field experience shows that even with burial 3 feet
deep, wires and cables can be struck by lightning. This occurs, once again, because soil is not a good conductor. So
the lightning current keeps going down until it finds something metallic. Shallow burial (less than 1 foot deep) provides
very little protection.