Grounding Coax?

[midget]

So, I bought some Coax to run for an antenna, and this coax had a ground wire on it...whereas the other coax I'm replacing didin't...so I called a friend, and asked him what I should do with this ground wire...and his answer was to ground it to the metal pole for the antenna, either by a hose clamp, or tap a hole for a screw--which I don't have a tap set, but he says I need to get one. So...if I were to put the ground wire on the metal...what happens when it comes inside to connect to the TV? Where's the ground wire on that end go? Wouldn't it be useless just hangin' there?

 

[stud696981]

Re: Grounding Coax?

The coax with ground wire is commonly used on satellite installs.

If the antenna doesn't have a grounding connector, I would recommend connecting to the U-clamp that bolts the antenna to the mast pipe. I have used a connector that will fit the bolt on the clamp and it has a screw terminal on it. You are also supposed to ground the cable at point of entry into the building, usually done with a grounding block for that particullar application. Make sure all grounds are bounded to the building grounding electrode.

 

[midget]

Re: Grounding Coax?

How would you go about bonding to the building's grounding system? Just run a wire from the rod and connect it to the ground block to which you have grounded the coax?

 

[stud696981]

Re: Grounding Coax?

If it's near the building grounding electrode I would simply continue on with the ground wire and make the connection. If it's a distance off then I would install a ground rod where the antenna wiring comes down and enters the house. Then run a #6 bonding wire between the ground rod and the building grounding electrode system.