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outside antenna grounding, why?

R

ratface

Member
I am installing an outside antenna mounted on the gable of a very rural house. This is a weekend part time place. The only way to ground here is by driving a grounding rod next to the house. My electric panel is currently grounded this way but on the other side of the house.The NEC(National Electric Code ) calls for grounding the antenna mast to the house electric panel and grounding the coax where it enters the house. Grounding the coax is relatively easy and driving a new rod is easy enough. Where I question the logic is in directing the lighting bolt into my main electric panel, it seems counter intuitive? Alternatively I can ground into a separate rod but what does this really do for me? Does a 6AWG wire actually handle a lighting bolt? What I am having difficulty with is that once the 100 year old cedar structure is struck by lighting it's all over anyway, isn't the place going to burn to ground regardless of what's grounded?
 
Electricity takes the path of least resistance, Even water. So even a small wire provides a better conductor than water.
 
I have no idea if it is true or not, but it was reported back in the CB craze, that grounding helped with static, by discharging the static electricity that can build up.
 
If you don't use just one grounding point the lightning will likely go to both rods. When this happens your TV will be the path to the ground. I work for a electric coop. and seen the results of multiple grounds.
 
You want the ground potential the same for the antenna as the power other wize it will flash over between the two. Thirty years at the phone company taught me a lot about grounding.
 
If I run the grounding wire from the antenna to the house panel grounding rod is that sufficient or do I have to run the wire into the main panel grounding bus or neutral bus?
 
Your lightning ground should be a 1/0 minimum and as close to the stucture as possible. The reason for the run to the main electrical panel is for bonding purposes so everything on property is at the same potential. With that said the lightning ground should not tie directly to your panel as you could direct a lot of energy there so the rod or ground grid becomes the main attachment point then tie those individual rods together to connect them with the 1/0 cable.

Yes be sure to use a lighting arrestor at the house as they act as a fuse to protect indoor equipment. I had some stuff fried several years ago via a network cable without a supressor.
 
If lightning hits Your grounded antenna its all toast anyhow -- I saw a 4foot(in diameter) ash tree get hit and it split that tree in halfand all was on the ground in less than 10 seconds -- it wont slow down for no little puny ground wire -- just My thoughts - Roy
 
Grounding a tower, and attaching it to the service ground is not to attract lightning to ground, it is to leak electrical charge so the tall things do not get struck. (my take on the topic) Jim
 
I agree with roy prins. Installed TV antennas years ago and saw many 'grounds' blown right off in lightning strikes. and strike kept going !!
 
(quoted from post at 21:17:41 07/29/18) Grounding a tower, and attaching it to the service ground is not to attract lightning to ground, it is to leak electrical charge so the tall things do not get struck. (my take on the topic) Jim
Click to expand...
es Sir! Same as with lightening rod protection systems.
 

If the ground rod is into dry , sandy or frozen soil it won’t do much .
A couple of ground rods will reduce but not eliminate damage from a direct strike .
Still better grounded than not . Is there a drilled well casing nearby ?
 
What articles are you reading ? Something does not sound right about bringing that ground into the panel. All that will do is get the panel blown off the wall in a lightning strike. Even a swimming pool ground does not go back to the main panel -just everything bonded. Lighting protection is a whole different ball game than antennas.
 
(quoted from post at 14:51:25 07/30/18) What articles are you reading ? Something does not sound right about bringing that ground into the panel. All that will do is get the panel blown off the wall in a lightning strike. Even a swimming pool ground does not go back to the main panel -just everything bonded. Lighting protection is a whole different ball game than antennas.
Click to expand...

The ground systems and bonding for commercial TV, AM and FM towers is a science unto it's own. 10 seconds after a lightening strike the transmitter is back on the air.
 
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