This article was posted 06/21/2006 and is most likely outdated.

State Warns Of Faulty Satellite TV Installations
 

 
Topic - Grounding and Bonding
Subject - State Warns Of Faulty Satellite TV Installations

June 21, 2006  

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State Warns Of Faulty Satellite TV Installations

 

The largest Dish Network affiliate in the Midwest has agreed to inspect 6,700 systems installed between Rochester and St. Cloud -- including the Twin Cities -- for improper installation that may be a safety risk.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry said Tuesday that Dish Network and Galaxy 1 Marketing of Bettendorf, Iowa, were cooperating after a random sampling of 100 installations showed 80 didn't meet the state's electrical code. The department said the improper installations increase the risk of lightning blowing out electronic gear, starting a fire or injuring people.

Officials said the systems were installed for Dish Network in 2004 and 2005. Labor and Industry spokesman James Honerman said no injuries or fires have been tied to the improperly installed systems. Faulty grounding was the most common problem, he said.

The inspections and necessary corrections will be done without cost to consumers. Honerman said the risk exists even if the satellite TV systems aren't being used.

 

Article from the Associated Press of St. Paul.

Mike Holt’s Comment: I am actually surprised that 20% of the installations were NEC compliant and I applaud the State of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for their efforts. We can expect about the same NEC compliance (less than 20%) nationwide, and we can expect that same rate of compliance (less than 20%) for cable television (CATV) industry. To the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, please do a sample on the grounding practices of CATV industry, this might open your eyes even further. I hope that other states would consider this issue as well.

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Comments
  • No. See the following from my textbook Understanding the NEC. 810.21 Grounding Conductors. The antenna mast [810.15] and antenna discharge unit [810.20(C)] must be grounded as specified in (A) through (K). Figure 810-8 Author’s Comment: Grounding the lead-in antenna cables and the mast helps prevent voltage surges caused by static discharge or nearby lightning strikes from reaching the center conductor of the lead-in coaxial cable. Because the satellite sits outdoors, wind creates a static charge on the antenna as well as on the cable attached to it. This charge can build up on both antenna and cable until it jumps across an air space, often passing through the electronics inside the low noise block down converter feed horn (LNBF) or receiver. Grounding the coaxial cable and dish to the building grounding electrode system helps to dissipate this static charge. Nothing can prevent damage from a direct lightning strike. But grounding with proper surge protection can help reduce damage to satellite and other equipment from nearby lightning strikes. (A) Material. The grounding conductor to the electrode [810.21(F)] must be copper or other corrosion-resistant conductive material, stranded or solid. (B) Insulation. The grounding conductor isn’t required to be insulated. (C) Supports. The grounding conductor must be securely fastened in place. (D) Protection Against Physical Damage. The grounding conductor must be guarded from physical damage. If the grounding conductor is run in a metal raceway, both ends of the raceway must be bonded to the grounding conductor. Author’s Comment: Installing the grounding conductor in a nonmetallic raceway, when the authority having jurisdiction judges that physical protection is required, is a better practice than using a metal raceway. (E) Run in Straight Line. The grounding conductor must be run in as straight a line as practicable. Author’s Comment: Lightning doesn’t like to travel around corners or through loops, which is why the grounding conductor should be run as straight as practicable. (F) Electrode. (1) The grounding conductor must terminate to the nearest accessible: Figure 810-9 a. Building or structure grounding electrode system [250.50]. b. Interior metal water piping system, within 5 ft from its point of entrance [250.52(A)(1)]. Figure 810-10 c. Accessible service bonding means [250.94]. d. Metallic service raceway. e. Service equipment enclosure. f. Grounding electrode conductor or the grounding electrode conductor metal enclosure. (G) Inside or Outside Building. The grounding conductor can be run either inside or outside the building. (H) Size. The grounding conductor must not be smaller than 10 AWG copper or 17 AWG copper-clad steel or bronze. Author’s Comment: Copper-clad steel or bronze wire (17 AWG) is often molded into the jacket of the coaxial cable to simplify the grounding of the satellite dish by eliminating the need to run a separate ground wire to the dish [810.21(F)(1)]. (J) Bonding of Electrodes. If a ground rod is installed to serve as the ground for the radio and television equipment, it must be connected to the building’s power grounding electrode system with a minimum 6 AWG conductor. Figure 810-11 Author’s Comment: The bonding of separate system electrodes (building and radio and television equipment electrode) reduces voltages that may develop between the building’s power and the radio and television equipment grounding electrode system during lightning events. Figure 810-12 (K) Electrode Connection. Termination of the grounding conductor must be by exothermic welding, listed lug, listed pressure connector, or listed clamp. Grounding fittings that are concrete-encased or buried in the earth must be listed for direct burial and marked “DB” [250.70]. Figure 810-13



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