How To Ground a Television or Communications Antenna
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How to Install an Earth Grounding and Bond for Communication Antenna: Guide for Grounding an Antenna System |
Guide for Grounding an Antenna System
Electrical Question: I would like to install a small outdoor television antenna (side of the house, not the roof), and I’d like to be sure it’s sufficiently grounded.
- I realize that according to code, I should ideally have an 8′ steel, copper clad grounding rod, but I don’t think I can go that deep, and I don’t know where to buy such a rod.
- I was told at a reputable hardware store that 6′ of copper tubing was sufficient – is this true?
- I also realize that ideally I should ground the antenna to the main service ground, but in my case this would be a rather convoluted arrangement. So, what I have is a 3’4″ copper tube which I was able to get about 4’6″ into the ground.
- Will that suffice? Or am I putting my home and equipment at undue risk?
This electrical wiring question came from: Udayan, a Homeowner from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Additional Comments: Great site – thanks.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Udayan.
Yes, you are correct, your antenna should be grounded, however lets take a look at the correct and acceptable methods so we make sure this is done right:
- Earth Grounding for Electrical Systems
Earth grounding is the connection to earth through a ground connection or connections of sufficiently low impedance to prevent the destruction of electrical components, as well as electric shock that can occur from voltage from lightning, voltage transients, and contact with higher voltage systems. The earth grounding helps prevent the build-up of static charges on equipment and material as well as establishing a zero voltage reference point to ensure the proper performance of sensitive electronic and communications systems equipment.
How to Install an Earth Grounding and Bond for Communication Antenna
NEC, National Electrical Code references shown below.
The National Electrical Code required earth grounding of telecommunications NEC 800-40(b), antennas and lead-in cables NEC 810-21(f), CATV NEC 820-40(b), and network-powered broadband communications systems NEC 830-40(b). This is accomplished by bonding the communications systems to the building earth ground.
The Communications Systems must be bonded to any of the following Earth Ground Locations
- Building or structure grounding electrode system as described in Section 250-50.
- Interior metal water pipe meeting the requirements of Section 250-104(a). The limitation of 5 feet in Section 250-50 does not apply.
- Metal service raceway. (metal conduit)
- Service equipment enclosure.(electrical panel)
- Building or structure grounding electrode conductor.
- Metal enclosure enclosing the building or structure grounding electrode conductor.
- Accessible bonding means such as six inches of No. 6 copper conductor connected to the service equipment or raceway [250-92(b)].
When an electrode such as a ground rod is installed for the communications systems, it must be bonded with a No. 6 copper or larger bare or insulated conductor to the grounding electrode system at the building or structure served.
- Ground Wire Connection
Earth grounding termination to the grounding electrode must be done by listed clamp. - Proper grounding of antenna mast and lead-in cables is somewhat effective in protecting receiving equipment from voltage surges, as well as voltage transients that result from lightning.
- The Antenna Mast
The metal structure that supports radio, HAM, television and satellite receiving antennas must be grounded to an acceptable earth ground [810-15] with a No. 10 copper bare or insulated conductor run in as straight a line as practicable [810-21]. - If the mast is not properly grounded, the Low Noise Block (LNB), as well as the dc rotor motors that control the positioning larger satellite dishes often will be destroyed by voltage surges caused by nearby lightning strikes.
- The Lead-in Cable
Each conductor (coaxial, control, and signal conductors) of a lead-in from an “outdoor antenna” must be provided with a listed antenna discharge unit (grounding terminal block). - The antenna discharge unit must be located outside or inside as near as practicable to the entrance of the conductors to the building and it must not be located near combustible material [810-20].
- The discharge unit must be grounded to an acceptable earth ground [810-21(f)] with a No. 10 copper bare or insulated conductor run in as straight a line as practicable [810-21].
- If each conductor of a lead-in from an outdoor antenna is not properly earth grounded, the receiver can be destroyed by voltage surges caused by nearby lightning strikes.
Important Note:
When an electrode such as a ground rod is installed for the communications systems, it must be bonded with a No. 6 copper bare or insulated conductor to the grounding electrode system at the building or structure served. (this refers to the main electrical panel)
Do not install a separate ground rod if the antenna is mounted on the house structure.
Summary:
As you can see, it is highly recommended to install the ground wire to the main electrical panel where it may be bonded with the main electrical ground system which will provide maximum protection and functionality.
If it is possible, locate the antenna near the electrical panel and install the antenna cable from that point to the desired locations.
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antenna is work to clear the picture of a television. but now a days wireless connection is so easy to antenna.
I am installing an outdoor tv antenna and rotator mounted to the chimney. The chimney is not used any longer (furnace has been removed.) The electrical service panel, and electrical service grounding rod are at the opposite end of the house from the chimney. I plan to run the lead in cable and rotator wire inside the chimney to the basement, across the ceiling in basement, and attach the lead in cable and rotator wire to the ground inside the electrical panel.
I do have a 6′ copper rod available and could drive it into the ground next to the chimney but, wouldn’t that be creating an isolated ground? Wouldn’t there be a voltage differential between the two grounds?
Hi Roy,
Yes – Driving the ground rod would create an isolated ground, and yes – there could be a voltage differential between the two ground sources depending on the soil and environmental conditions. This could also be identified as a ground loop. If you do drive the ground rod it should be bonded to the main ground system, or you could just ground the antenna with a continuous cable back to the main panel and bond it there.
Dave