Cable TV Grounding

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daveselectric

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Ohio
This afternoon, I saw a grounding clip attached to the corner of the cover of a 200 Amp meter base. My thought was that it is not permitted to use the service for any support of low voltage cable drops and grounding. In addition the cover is not mechanically attached to the base. Is this a code violation and what is the code reference? I thinh I attached pictures. If you are unable to open the pictures send me an email.


Thanks,
david
 
The POCO may not permit it however. In this area the Meter can is POCO owned and installed, and they dont like the phone and cable companies bonding to it. We generally stub out a lenth of copper conductot per 250.94 FPN #1
 
Earth Grounding and Bonding of Communications Systems. The National Electrical Code required earth grounding of telecommunications [800-40(b)], antennas and lead-in cables [810-21(f)], CATV [820-40(b)], and network-powered broadband communications systems [830-40(b)]. This is accomplished by bonding the communications systems to the building earth ground.

The communications systems must be bonded to any of the following earth ground locations:

1. Building or structure grounding electrode system as described in Section 250-50.

2. Interior metal water pipe meeting the requirements of Section 250-104(a). The limitation of 5 feet in Section 250-50 does not apply.

3. Metal service raceway.

4. Service equipment enclosure.

5. Building or structure grounding electrode conductor.

6. Metal enclosure enclosing the building or structure grounding electrode conductor.

7. Accessible bonding means such as six inches of No. 6 copper conductor connected to the service equipment or raceway [250-92(b)].


sjgreatdeals101_1921_180123268
 
as a low voltage guy and sat installer I am very intrested in this topic.I use the clamps shown.Not usually on the meter base but I have done it when is seemed like there was no other way. Normally around here there are no provisions for the low voltage guy to hook up the ground. I have a question about #2 in stickboys reply.Can I assume it means I can ground to the metal water pipe anywhere in the house system? To me that dosent seem right,but would make some installs easier. This site is great I post very seldom but reading the questions and answers has made me a better installer trying to comply with NEC
 
Jacobsond

Jacobsond

...Interior metal water pipe meeting the requirements of Section 250-104(a). The limitation of 5 feet in Section 250-50 does not apply.


As long as it complies with Section 250-104(a) I think it is ok, mine is attached in this manor.
 
edamico11 said:
...Interior metal water pipe meeting the requirements of Section 250-104(a). The limitation of 5 feet in Section 250-50 does not apply.


As long as it complies with Section 250-104(a) I think it is ok, mine is attached in this manor.
Click to expand...

And as long as the Electrician bonded it as well.... :)
 
I was doing a meter install on a new house in a neighborhood where the houses are only 10' apart (+\-), when i noticed that the house next to me,the ph company had installed their box with a ground clamp ran to the schedule 80 pvc stand pipe. not really a ground source. i called the # on the tag to let them know.
 
You just have to love how nice it looks to see a new flush mount meter panel on a house that was just painted and a green #10 running diagonally down the wall and that clip stuck on the corner of the panel screeming "HEY LOOK AT ME, I WAS INSTALLED AFTER THE FACT'' I know I do:)
 
stickboy1375 said:
Earth Grounding and Bonding of Communications Systems. The National Electrical Code required earth grounding of telecommunications [800-40(b)], antennas and lead-in cables [810-21(f)], CATV [820-40(b)], and network-powered broadband communications systems [830-40(b)]. This is accomplished by bonding the communications systems to the building earth ground.

The communications systems must be bonded to any of the following earth ground locations:

...

2. Interior metal water pipe meeting the requirements of Section 250-104(a). The limitation of 5 feet in Section 250-50 does not apply.

...
Click to expand...

Where does this information come from? The use of "-" instead of "." indicates that it is refering to a code edition prior to 2002. NEC (2005) Section 820.100(B)(1), item (2) allows "The grounded interior metal water piping system, within 1.52m (5ft) from its point of entrance to the building, as covered in 250.52". The corresponding sections in the other Chapter 8 articles are worded the same. The 2002 NEC was worded similarly. The statement that the 5 foot limitation does not apply appears to be outdated.
 
Cable TV Grounding

jacobsond said:
as a low voltage guy and sat installer I am very intrested in this topic.I use the clamps shown.Not usually on the meter base but I have done it when is seemed like there was no other way. Normally around here there are no provisions for the low voltage guy to hook up the ground. I have a question about #2 in stickboys reply.Can I assume it means I can ground to the metal water pipe anywhere in the house system? To me that dosent seem right,but would make some installs easier. This site is great I post very seldom but reading the questions and answers has made me a better installer trying to comply with NEC
Click to expand...

It is nice to meet a sat. installer interested in code compliant installations. I see too much poor work being done by satellite and catv installers.

jacobsond are you ever requiered to pull permits? I would like to require permits for this kind of work so I can inspect the work being done and get better work from those doing poor work.

romeo inspector
 
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