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nomadII
Joined: 16 Jun 2006
Posts: 252
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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I have been implementing my surge protection plan for my HT.
So far I have employed two Cutler-Hammer produucts.
In my new Loadcenter I installed:
CHSP Ultra
3500 Joules
180,000 Amps (Maximum Surge Current)
<1 Nanosecond Response Time
My DirecTV satellite & ATSC signal come in on 2 coax lines at another entrance point.
DCXCAB2 for Coax /Satellite
400 Joules (Total)
20,000 Amps (Maximum Surge Current)
DC Breakdown Voltage 145 V
<1 Nanosecond Response Time
Instead of running an extra 100' of coax I am going to put in a 2nd ground rod & use an ground bar for all of my components. The DCXCAB2 will be tied to this ground bar.
I will then bond the 2 exterior ground rods together.
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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Hmm... Thanks for posting. That's similar to what I was leaning toward doing, too. In fact, after seeing the neighbor's house, I'm back to thinking I want another ground rod close to the antenna and dish. The less current coming right at the side of the mount house and service panel, the better. Maybe I'll lose equipment in a direct strike, but maybe it won't be the nasty mess that it could be if I tie into the house ground right at the service entrance.
The literature for the Channel Master OTA antenna specifically good grounding for lighting protection, and specifies #8 or #10 with as short of a run as possible to a ground rod. It's funny, but that's exactly what I was leaning toward to begin with.
Channel Master page on grounding attached.
SC
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Last edited by ecrabb on Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Tom.W
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 6635
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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If your bonding two ground rods use #6 copper wire to do it.
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, really Tom? That's some heavy stuff! OK, so I'll have about a 35-foot run of #8 between the dish/antenna mounts and the first ground rod, then another 35-foot run of #6 between the two rods.
That brings up another question... I'll have two non-penetrating mounts probably 6 feet from each other... Do they each need their own run back to the first ground rod, or can I jump from mount to mount with the sam run of #8, then down to the rod?
This little project keeps getting more and more expensive! I'm glad I held off to learn more about it before jumping right in.
SC
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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For future reference, awhile back I said I'd post photos of the lightning damage I referenced earlier in the thread. I finally got around to doing it. I thought it would be good to give it its own thread, so I made a new one:
Lightning damage photos...
Makes me want to make sure I've covered the bases with this whole grounding and lighting protection thing.
SC
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Tom.W
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 6635
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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All individual grounds should be bonded together. The phone company specs are #6 copper but you could also use all three conductors of ordinary 12 gauge insulated wire I would think...
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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Right, bonded together - I get that. But, can I jump from antenna to dish, then down to the ground rod, for instance? Or, does each antenna/dish need its own run to the ground rod?
Thanks, Tom!
SC
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Tom.W
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 6635
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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Not individual runs but all heading towards the mains power ground rod. Avoid sharp angles in the wire.
Lightning is so powerful that if you get a direct hit you're bound to lose one thing or another...
If the grounds are very far apart use all three strands of #10 wire.
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wallace123456
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Northwest VA area
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:14 am Post subject: |
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| ecrabb wrote: | But, can I jump from antenna to dish, then down to the ground rod, for instance? Or, does each antenna/dish need its own run to the ground rod?
Thanks, Tom!
SC |
IMO, I do not see a problem.
But, I would not create a new master ground via a ground rod other than right next to the existing "house/master" ground rod (and then bonding them together).
In my old days of electricians helper wiring houses in Florida, I never once remember driving 2 ground rods. Even on very expensive and large houses (12,000 sq. ft and up). A lot of house and money for the "richer side" that made it big from the Disney craze.
wallace
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