[grobicheau]

I recently had an OTA antenna installed. Everything worked out fine, but I just realized that the installer forgot/negelected to install any sort of grounding. This doesn't appear to be a major issue as I should be able to do the grounding myself. However I do have a question. All the documents I've read suggest I attach a copper ground wire to the mast and run it down to a ground pole. My question is where excatally should I attach the ground wire to the mast. I've got a 15ft mast attached to the side of my house with the antenna on top (obviously ). Should I attach the ground wire from the antenna and run it down, or can I run the ground wire from closer to the bottom of the mast?


Thanks,


Glen

 

[mcfoo]

You can attach the ground at the bottom of the pole. Just be sure there is a good connection if the pole is painted. The coax should also be grounded where it enters the house.

 

[greywolf]

Anywhere on the mast will do as the antenna boom and mast are solidly connected electrically as well as mechanically. The other end of the ground wire is best attached the the main building ground. If a separate ground rod is used, that must be bonded to the main building ground anyway. For more info than you ever wanted to know:

http://www.mikeholt.com/documents/gr.../satellite.doc

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=395088



AVSforum member Signal posted the following helpful sites. Dish and antenna masts have the same grounding requirements.



National Electrical Code - Search for "dish" http://forums.nfpa.org:8081/necfaq/necsrch.htm


The information there also applies to antenna grounding. In the 2002 code update, if a water pipe is used, it must be all metal and connected to the electrical panel within 5ft of where the pipe enters the building. The connection to the pipe from the lightning arrestor/ground block and from the antenna/dish mast must also be within 5ft of the pipe's entry.



Preventing Damage Due to Ground Potential Difference
http://www.cinergy.com/surge/ttip08.htm


PSIHQ - Grounding Requirements
http://www.psihq.com/iread/strpgrnd.htm