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Old 19-Sep-2015, 3:28 PM   #5
rabbit73
Retired A/V Tech
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: S.E. VA
Posts: 2,747
Quote:
All I have right now is the coax grounded to the house electrical system ground through a copper wire.
That's a good start to protect you, because the coax is connected to AC operated equipment.

In the US, the mast and the grounding block must be connected with separate 10 gauge wires to the house electrical system ground. If the grounding block is connected to the house electrical system ground and the mast is connected to a separate grounding rod, the grounding rod must be connected ("bonded") to the house electrical system ground with 6 gauge copper wire, which is expensive. The reason for that is to eliminate the difference in potential between the two grounds.

Some dish installers use coax that has an attached 17 gauge copper coated steel grounding wire (messenger) that connects the mast to the grounding block. Then only one 10 gauge copper wire goes to the house ground, which is called a "piggybacking." The 17 gauge copper coated steel wire is allowed to ground the mast if it is run to the house system ground, but combining two into one at the grounding block isn't according to code.

Todd Humphrey doesn't speak for the NFPA that publishes the NEC code, but he has some ideas that are helpful. The local electrical inspector has the final say if you are willing to get him involved. Some inspectors are more friendly than others; a local electrician could tell you.

Satellite System Grounding
Part 2 - NEC Overview
Presented by Todd Humphrey
http://www.dbsinstall.com/diy/Grounding-2.asp
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Last edited by rabbit73; 19-Sep-2015 at 3:41 PM.
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