While the schematic may be a pi or T network, internally it may be a series of pi or T networks, each section of which dissipates a given amount of wattage. This means the input pi/T might attenuate say only a few tenths of a dB, while the last pi/T also dissipates about the same amount of power, but does so by having a much larger attenuation. Turn things around, and this power distribution plan is totally shot.
Alternatively, it is a single pi or T network, with a high power resistor on the input side, and a lower power resistor on the output side. Cheers, Donald Borowski EMC Compliance Engineer Schweitzer Engineering Labs Pullman, WA, USA From: Ken Javor <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Date: 09/27/2012 03:25 PM Subject: Calling all old-timers Sent by: [email protected] Make that "older-timers." Just purchased an Empire Devices AT-58 6 dB attenuator. It's big - looks like it ought to handle 100 Watts, but there is no indication of the power handling capability. Input and output are marked, and only the input side is supposed to face the high power source, so the rating of internal resistors is based on individual power dissipation - schematically these things are symmetrical so the power rating is the only reason for marking input and output. Any leads on this? Ken Javor Phone: (256) 650-5261 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <[email protected]> Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> David Heald: <[email protected]>
