[Amps] Power handling of an SMA

[Sam Carpenter]

As your figures from Suhner shows, .5kw is all I will do with an N at 800
and up. I think you find that with DB Spectra, Celwave, Andrews and other
makers of filters in that range. It is pretty standard. I too agree on the
Suhner product. I use them when I have RX tower top preamps 500' up a tower
for emp protection. They use gas plugs that fire reliably and are easily
replaced without taking arrestor out of line. As for the PL259, it was
designed as a DC Connector on boats and is not typically 50 ohms. When I run
a TDR Sweep of the line, they show up as 30 ohm connectors most of the time.
It does at least make them easy to identify from the ground on a new site
because the stick out like a sore butt on a monkey on screen.

Sam N9FUT

-----Original Message-----
From: amps-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Steve
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 12:04 PM
To: amps at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] Power handling of an SMA

Suhner data shows approx. 500W based on dielectric strength, but there's 
a second 'low SWR' curve on the chart which extrapolates to around 1500W 
at 1.3GHz. The spec. also gives 10kW for 1us. The contact resistances 
are listed as a few milliohms, so you'd be looking at 10s amps to create 
significant heating.

Not all SMAs (or other connectors) are created equal. I handle many 
brands of connector; I reckon Suhner are consistently the best quality, 
and that's not pro Eu/anti US bias :-)

UTI rate .141" coax for 300-400W at 1GHz, depending on the materials and 
plating. This will push the cable to max. rated temp., 125 or 150C I 
think, so might be more than you'd choose to run if you don't want to 
burn your fingers.

Steve
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