Attenuator.

[on1aag]

I've got a small problem, in fact I've got two. I bought two 50 watts
17 dB attenuators which I want to use as a reverse power protection
for my generators. I asked the salesman which side was the input and
he replied that both sides were 50 ohms. So I refrased my question and
asked him at which terminal I could apply the 50 watts. He seemed a bit
puzzled and said that if I limited the power to 1 watt it would be safe
either way . . . . and that I should find the datasheet on the internet,
which I didn't. Has any one seen one of these beasts before ?
They are marked: RFP 50-17 AMZ

on1aag.

 

[ericgibbs]

hi,
Does this help?
Its the best match I can find.

Why dont you register with www.digichip.com

 

[on1aag]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the reply, I didn't expect to get a perfect match
because it' probably a custom made attenuator. But the
datasheet will do nicely. It doesn't mention where the power
should be applied, it could be reversible. If not, I've got two
chances and one will surely be the right one.
Next time I'll buy a few more, just in case . . .

on1aag.

 

[ericgibbs]

hi,
Goto www.anaren.com site

Good luck.

EDIT: its most likely a 'T' or 'PI' atten, would guess at 50ohms, so the direction should not matter.

 

[on1aag]

Hi Eric,

The direction doesn't matter with respect to attenuation
or impedance, but it does matter at which side you apply
the power. Most attenuators are a series of low power
attenuators with increasing attenuation from input to
output. e.g. 0,5 dB 0,5 dB 1 dB 1dB 2 dB . . . . .
All resistors have the same power dissipation, that's why
it is important to know at which terminal the power should
be applied to. The trouble is that you never know what's
under the hood. For low power attenuators there's no real
problem, for high power attenuators there's always a risk
because most aren't built symmetrical.
Don't think that a chunky 1000 watts 30 dB attenuator is
invulnerable, I've seen some being destroyed with 10 watts.
That was also the reason why I asked at which terminal the
power should be applied to, I already fried a few.

on1aag.