Satelight Dish

[arnettda]

I got a call to ground a satelight dish. They have a ground wire that comes in with there coax cable that they mount to a little terminal block. Do I need to run this wire back to the main panel or can I just drive a ground rod? The rod would be alot easier and cheaper as the panel is on the far side of the house with everything inside completely finished.

 

[pete m.]

Perhaps 820.100 could provide some guidance?

Pete

 

[arnettda]

Thank you. I guess the answer is yes and no. I need to drive rod plus bond it to the main grounding system.

 

[Smart $]

Thank you. I guess the answer is yes and no. I need to drive rod plus bond it to the main grounding system.

If the service has an intersystem bonding terminal, you are required to run your grounding conductor to it. Otherwise, you can take it to any location on the GES. For example, the main panel, service disconnecting means is on the other side of the house, but a GEC is run to the water supply line on the near side of the house, you are permitted to bond to that GEC or the electrode.

 

[StephenSDH]

My understanding is that it must be tied to the GES, and that a ground rod is optional. Is this correct. I have read through 810 and 820 and a supplemental ground rod didn't jump out to me.

I watched a video which stated if the antenna is far away you must drive a ground rod then bond to the GES. Which this makes sense, but I can't find the code behind it.

 

[radiopet]

If you view NEC 810 it will become clear...

810.1 Scope. This article covers antenna systems for radio
and television receiving equipment, amateur radio transmitting
and receiving equipment, and certain features of transmitter
safety. This article covers antennas such as multielement,
vertical rod, and dish, and also covers the wiring
and cabling that connects them to equipment. This article
does not cover equipment and antennas used for coupling
carrier current to power line conductors.


NEC 810.21(F) Electrode. The grounding conductor shall be connected
as required in (F)(1) through (F)(3).

(1) In Buildings or Structures with an Intersystem Bonding
Termination. If the building or structure served has an
intersystem bonding termination, the grounding conductor
shall be connected to the intersystem bonding termination.

(2) In Buildings or Structures with Grounding Means.
If the building or structure served has no intersystem
bonding termination, the grounding conductor shall be connected
to the nearest accessible location on the following:
(1) The building or structure grounding electrode system
as covered in 250.50
(2) The grounded interior metal water piping systems,
within 1.52 m (5 ft) from its point of entrance to the
building, as covered in 250.52
(3) The power service accessible means external to the
building, as covered in 250.94
(4) The metallic power service raceway
(5) The service equipment enclosure, or
(6) The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding
electrode conductor metal enclosures
A bonding device intended to provide a termination
point for the grounding conductor (intersystem bonding)
shall not interfere with the opening of an equipment enclosure.
A bonding device shall be mounted on non-removable
parts. A bonding device shall not be mounted on a door or
cover even if the door or cover is non-removable.

(3) In Buildings or Structures Without Intersystem
Bonding Termination or Grounding Means. If the building
or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination
or grounding means, as described in 810.21(F)(1).
(1) To any one of the individual electrodes described in
250.52; or

(2) If the building or structure served has no grounding
means, as described in 810.21(F)(1) or (F)(2), to an
effectively grounded metal structure.

(G) Inside or Outside Building. The grounding conductor
shall be permitted to be run either inside or outside the
building.

(H) Size. The grounding conductor shall not be smaller
than 10 AWG copper, 8 AWG aluminum, or 17 AWG
copper-clad steel or bronze.

(I) Common Ground. A single grounding conductor shall
be permitted for both protective and operating purposes.

(J) Bonding of Electrodes. A bonding jumper not smaller
than 6 AWG copper or equivalent shall be connected between
the radio and television equipment grounding electrode
and the power grounding electrode system at the
building or structure served where separate electrodes are
used.

(K) Electrode Connection. Connections to grounding
electrodes shall comply with 250.70.


Basically you are dealing with 810 and not 820 for most of your question.

 

[radiopet]

Long short...the specs from the provider may call for an electrode at the antenna location and so they drive a ground rod, This would be the case for a remote satellite dish on a pad lets say. No problem but they still are required to tie it back to the grounding electrode system of the building.

 

[StephenSDH]

So the additional ground rod is a manufacturers requirement and not an NEC requirement.

 

[Smart $]

So the additional ground rod is a manufacturers requirement and not an NEC requirement.

Not so obvious in 800/810, but see 820.100(A)(4) Exception.

 

[klrogers2]

I have seen many satellite dishes on commericial roofs where the only ground is connected to the closest rooftop HVAC unit usually just attached to the frame of the unit. I guess these installations never get inspected.

Kevin

 

[raider1]

I guess these installations never get inspected.

Kevin

Apparently not.

Chris

 

[tom baker]

If you drive a ground rod for the coax ground block and antenna mast, and don't bond it to the building electrical ground system, you are wasting your time and will achieve nothing.

The object is to create a single point ground.

This is the reason we have a new definition of intersystem bonding terminal, see definition in Art 100 and use in 250.94.

The mast is bonded per the rules in Art 810, art 820 is for the coax