Safety & Usage Instructions
Simple guidelines for safe device operation, covering heat management, power options, antenna setup, and precautions to prevent damage or interference.
General
- The device may generate heat during operation. Therefore, refrain from touching the surface of the device when it is excessively hot or during extended periods of use. The heat emitted by the device can be harmful to users.
- Do not expose the device to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.
- Keep the device away from liquids and flammable materials.
- Avoid inserting any metal or conductive object into the device. Be careful not to damage electrical connections or components while using the device.
Do not connect Ethernet/PoE to the GPIO Add-on port!
Power Management
- Any of the power options (DC 9-30V Power IN, USB Type-C PD Input, PoE) can be used in a plug-and-play.
- The device must be operated with only one power input at a time. Connecting two or more power inputs at the same time is not recommended.
- Do not supply power below 9V or above 30V from the terminal block. Ensure that the connected adapter provides at least 27W of power. When using long cables for DC power, prefer a 24V adapter and ensure the cable is thick enough to prevent voltage drop and safely handle the required current.
- If USB Type-C PD is used, the adapter must provide a minimum of 27W. The power adapter included in the box is recommended.
- The device is powered via USB Type-C using USB PD adapters that supply 15V. However, it is also designed to operate on 5V from a computer’s USB port to flash images. Therefore, do not use standard 5V Type-C adapters or direct 5V USB outputs to power the device. These adapters typically provide a maximum of 15W, which is insufficient for optimal operation.
- Powering the device via PoE is only possible if the version includes a built-in PoE module, as the module cannot be added separately. The device supports the PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) compliant. The power adapter must be PoE+ Class 4 (IEEE 802.3at) compliant. Other types of adapters are not supported and will not provide sufficient power for optimal device performance.
Thermal Safety
This device is designed to be fanless to avoid the need for maintenance over many years because fans can easily break. Therefore, there is no external or internal cooling fan. The device uses its top surface to cool the main processor and other components. The surface of the case increases heat transfer by allowing better airflow and cooling. For this reason, the following points must be considered when planning the mounting position and method.
- Never cover the cooling surface of the device or place anything on top of it.
- If mounting the device on a panel or wall, make sure nothing is touching the cooling surface.
- Do not place the device upside down on a table with the cooling surface facing down, as this may block ventilation.
- The device should be positioned in an upright position or with the cooling surface facing upwards whenever possible.
- It can be positioned with the cooling surface facing down, such as on a ceiling.
- Keep the device away from direct sources of heat and steam when mounting.
Antenna
The antenna ports are as follows:
On the back of the antennas, G is for GNSS, W is for Wi-Fi, and L (x2) is for LTE.
- ALPON X4 has different SMA port types: the Wi-Fi port uses a male connector, while the GNSS and LTE ports use female connectors.
- The antennas are designed to function effectively when positioned at either 90 or 180 degrees. For optimal device performance, it is important to position the GNSS, Wi-Fi, and Cellular antennas correctly.
- Ensure that the antennas are positioned in optimal locations and are not obstructed by metal or other barriers.
- Do not remove the antennas and connect them to different ports.
- To ensure effective signal reception, the GNSS antenna must be placed in an open area and positioned upright, with the top facing the sky.
- Since it can be dangerous, especially in high-power transmission systems, never work on antennas or related equipment while the device is open or operating.
- Always turn off and unplug equipment before connecting or disconnecting antennas to avoid electric shock or damage.
- Ensure all connections are tight but not over-tightened. Loose connections can cause signal loss or interference, while over-tightening can damage connectors.
- Be gentle with antennas and connectors to prevent physical damage.
- Check for wear, corrosion, or damage before reattaching the antennas. Replace damaged connectors.
- Keep antennas away from electromagnetic interference sources such as other electronic devices (microwave ovens, cordless phones, etc.).
Updated 4 days ago