Be Sure To Do It Right
Written: Oct 10 '05 (Updated Oct 10 '05)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Comply with electrical codes
Cons: Can be a pain to install correctly
The Bottom Line: These should be included in every antenna installation.
|
|
|
| rbinck's Full Review: Philips (M61011) |
Introduction
I was looking for a different satellite equipment device when this popped up. Who would have thought they would have had this device in their database? Not surprisingly there were not any reviews on this device, so I thought to myself what in the world could one say about such a simple thing? The more I thought about the possibility of a review the more I kept coming up with points that many self installers might not know about grounding blocks and while not technically a review, could be a useful essay. Obviously, the need to explain this and the sheer adventure to see if a comprehensive review about such a simple device won out. So here goes...
Purpose
The purpose of a grounding block is for protection from lightening striking your antenna. Basically you connect the grounding block in the antenna coax cable near the location where the coax cable enters the building. The grounding wire is then bonded to the building electrical system ground using a ground wire. The idea behind the protection is should lightening strike your antenna, the ground block will bleed the energy to the ground wire. Additionally, the shield (outer conductor) of the coax is grounded to prevent static energy buildup which may attract lightening.
Variations
The particular model shown is for a single coax like you would use for a TV antenna, but they also make dual coax units to accommodate dual feeds from a satellite dish. If you have a HDTV elliptical dish that has all four coax leads, you will need to use 2 dual blocks and perhaps a single block for the over the air (OTA) antenna.
Installation
As mentioned the location of the block should be near the entry of the coax into the building. It can be mounted via wood screws, sheet metal screws, deck screws or masonry anchors as needed by the particular mounting surface. It is recommended the unit be mounted so that the coax connections are horizontal to keep water from running down the coax into the connectors. Drip loops should be included in the coax to encourage water to drain down in the loop rather than into the connectors as well. The use of watertight F connectors is encouraged as opposed to the standard crimp on F connectors.
Grounding
The ground block next needs to be grounded with a #10 copper or #8 aluminum wire connected to the ground block and the building electrical ground. This ground should be at or near the central ground point and according to the National Electrical Code (NEC) should be one of these locations:
1. Grounded interior metal cold water pipe within 5 feet of the point where it enters the building.
2. Grounded metallic service raceway.
3. Grounded electrical service enclosure.
4. 8-foot long grounding rod driven into the ground provided the grounding rod is bonded to the central building ground by a #6 or heavier bonding jumper.
5. Other acceptable grounding electrodes that comply with sections 250 and 810 of the NEC.
The NEC warns the grounding conductor should be run as straight as possible to the grounding point. This is because lightening energy does not like to make sharp turns and will tend to jump out of the cable at sharp turns. Make gradual large radius turns if necessary.
Conclusion
Although this is a pretty cheap and seemingly unimportant device, it is nevertheless very important not only to make your antenna or satellite dish installation comply with national and local electrical codes, but to protect your expensive equipment connected to the coax on the inside of your home... your home theater equipment. Better be safe than sorry and make sure the grounding blocks are installed.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
rbinck
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: Richard Binckley
Location: Houston, Texas
Reviews written: 125
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
Retired A/V professional, likes Hawaii and Classic Cars
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.