SimplySNAP Wireless Lighting Installations
Best Practices
The SimplySNAP lighting control solution has excellent RF signal propagation thanks to the wireless mesh
network design. However, this technology can experience problems when the antenna on a lighting controller
is not installed correctly. This document will provide some best practices and tips for installing SNAP Lighting
controllers to ensure clear and consistent RF communications.
Antenna Orientation
A SNAP RF module is at the heart of every SimplySNAP lighting controller, and the key for this system to
provide robust wireless communications is correct antenna orientation. In a traditional wireless lighting
application such as High Bay Fixtures, Parking Lot Fixtures, Street Lights, Troffers, and Decorative Fixtures, the
antennas need to be vertically orientated for maximum range.
The tip of the antenna should point skyward or towards the ground. With this orientation, the horizontal distance
between lighting fixtures can be maximized. RF energy travels in a donut pattern, and controllers work best
when the “donuts” radiating from the antenna overlap. To help visualize the pattern, imagine the tip of the
antenna is stuck through the hole of a donut. If the donuts cannot overlap, reception will be poor.
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Where you mount the Antenna
makes a Difference
The business end of the antenna is the top three inches of the antenna,
and it relies on free space around this section for best performance.
If possible:
•
keep the tip of the antenna 3 inches from any surface such as walls,
poles, and the eves of a building
•
keep the tip of the antenna away from conduit or metal
•
do not install an antenna inside a metal box
Page 2 Best Practices for SimplySNAP Wireless Lighting Installations
Good Things to Know for a Successful Wireless Lighting Installation
Always have some spares:
•
antennas
•
light controllers
•
cables
Make sure all cable and antenna RF connections are hand tight. Then tighten an additional
quarter turn. Do not over tighten.
Make sure that all Light Controllers have an Antenna
Make sure all antennas are vertically oriented. They should either point at the sky or the ground
Make sure there is proper line of site between controllers
•
The controller’s RF signals can hop through other controllers to extend the wireless network mesh
•
Every lighting controller should have line of sight to two or more controllers
Use only approved RP-SMA antennas for each controller. Do not substitute antennas
Use only approved RP-SMA cables for each controller. Do not substitute cables
Verify all antennas are at least 3” from any surface
Make sure no RF cables are pinched or crushed
Visual inspection of the antenna should reveal no cuts, breaks, or damage to the antenna. If the
antenna does show any of these symptoms, replace the antenna.
Use outdoor rated antennas for outdoor applications
Remember, the antenna is not a handle
•
If you try to carry a fixture by the antenna, it will break.
Best Practices for SimplySNAP Wireless Lighting Installations
Page 3
Wall Mounting a SimplySNAP Site Controller
A SimplySNAP Site Controller needs to be mounted at least 3” off of a wall to allow the antennas to propagate
and have an effective range. By just using spacers, the effective range increases by a factor of ten.
Here are some suggested mounting techniques for wall mounting the SimplySNAP Site Controller with spacers.
You will need:
•
4 - 4” exterior wood screws
•
4 – Wall Anchors
•
4 - 2 ½” nylon spacer – 13RSSR0324 (McMaster Carr)
Use the SimplySNAP Site Controller as a template by placing it on the
mounting surface and using a pencil to mark four mounting holes. Remove
the site controller and drill pilot holes at the marked mounting points with
a drill bit appropriate to the surface and the mounting screws. (If you are
mounting to sheetrock or concrete, be sure to also use anchors appropriate
to the mounting surface.)
Next, insert each of the 4” wood screws through a nylon spacer and screw
them into the pilot holes until they’re snugly attached. (Be careful to not
over-tighten.) Once the spacer and screw assembly are attached, loosen
the screw and slide the site controller in the gap between the spacer and
screw. Tighten the screw until the site controller is snug against the spacer.
(Do not over tighten.)
When mounting in a NEMA box, be sure to use DIN rails with appropriate
spacers on the back panel. Do not use a
metal mounting plate.
Page 4 Best Practices for SimplySNAP Wireless Lighting Installations