Twice the lightning surge resistance! A case study of a communications equipment manufacturer that achieved zero equipment failure from lightning strikes with a custom power supply that protects outdoor communication devices.

Outdoor communication equipment is constantly exposed to the risk of failure caused by lightning surges, which may lead to service outages and reduced customer satisfaction. This article presents a case study of the enhanced power supply solution provided by Unifive to compensate for the inadequate resistance of standard adapters. In real-world environmental testing, the solution achieved zero failure due to lightning, contributing to improved operational uptime and reduced maintenance costs.

“Communication equipment damaged by lightning... we absolutely want to avoid service outages” — Do you have such concerns?

Communication equipment installed outdoors is constantly exposed to the risk of lightning strikes.

“We want to use power for outdoor communication devices, but we're worried that surges from lightning could damage the equipment.” — These were the concerns we received from a communication equipment manufacturer. In environments like base stations where lightning surges are more likely, standard AC adapters do not provide sufficient protection for the equipment.

This time, we will introduce a case study in which a custom power supply with enhanced lightning surge resistance ensured the reliability of communication equipment.

Customer Challenges and Background

Standard AC adapters lack sufficient surge resistance, leading to high risk of equipment failure during lightning strikes.

- Service outages due to lightning may lead to reduced customer satisfaction

- Since the equipment is installed outdoors, maintenance frequency needs to be minimized

Step	Initiative	Effect
1	Detailed surge tolerance hearing and environmental condition analysis	Optimal protection level configured
2	Use of surge absorbers and reinforced insulation design	Achieved double the surge resistance of standard products
3	Verification through high-voltage testing assuming actual conditions	Can handle surges beyond expectations

[Key Point] Strengthen lightning surge protection solely with the power supply — no changes to existing device design needed!

Results After Implementation

1. Achieved zero equipment failures from lightning in field tests

2. Increased system availability of communication services, resulting in higher customer satisfaction

3. Reduced maintenance frequency, lowering running costs

Customer Feedback

“Even in actual field tests, there were no incidents of equipment failure due to lightning. Now we can confidently offer our products, even in regions with frequent thunderstorms!”

─ Development representative, Communication Equipment Manufacturer

For Those with Similar Concerns

Insufficient lightning protection for installed equipment
Increased maintenance costs due to surge-induced equipment failure
Urgent need to improve communication reliability

If any of these apply to you, please consult with Unifive. We support your problem-solving with power solutions that demonstrate reliability even under harsh conditions.