View source for How to Ground an Outdoor TV Antenna

<seo title="How to Ground an Outdoor TV Antenna" metakeywords="Free,TV,info,Information,OTA,Antenna,ground,TV" metadescription="Learn how to properly ground an outdoor TV Antenna based upon the National Electric Code (NEC) NFPA 70." />

This page describes the proper method for grounding an outdoor TV antenna based upon the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 70. <u>Both the antenna mast AND the coax cable need to be grounded</u>. Outdoor TV antennas can build-up static electricity as a result of simply being outdoors. This static electricity can attract lighting during a thunderstorm. As a result, it is essential that all outdoor TV antennas AND the coax cable are properly grounded. Grounding both the antenna mast and the grounding of the coax cable will route the lighting into the GROUND and not into your house. This page describes the parts required along with the proper method for grounding the antenna mast and the coax cable.

== <b>Parts Required to Ground the TV Mast and Ground the Coax Cable</b> ==
=== <u>1. Ground Clamp - To Be Used at The TV Antenna Mast</u> ===
Depending on the size of the antenna mast you have, you will need one of the two ground clamps shown below. The first clamp will fit an antenna mast that is between 1/2 inch to 1 inch diameter. The second ground clamp will fit an antenna mast that is 1 1/4 inch to 2 inch diameter.


{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
     |-
        ! style="background: #d0e5f5" colspan="6" | <span style="font-family: arial, Verdana; font-size: 20px;">TV Antenna Mast Clamps

     |-
        | [[file:Mast Clamp -1.jpg|200px]] || [[file:Mast Clamp -2.jpg|200px]] 
     |-
        | Clamp Manufacturer: <br /><b>Morris</b>  ||Clamp Manufacturer: <br /><b>Sigma Electric</b><br /> 
     |-
        | Clamp Model: <br /><b>90627</b>  || Clamp Model: <br /><b>ProConnex 41311</b> 
     |-
        | Fits Antenna Mast Sizes: <b>1/2" - 1"</b>  ||Fits Antenna Mast Sizes: <b>1 1/4" - 2"</b> 
     |-
        | Approx. Price: <b>$9.80 ea.</b>  ||Approx. Price: <b>$10.49 ea.</b> 
 
 |}

=== <u>2. Ground Rod Clamp or Two Split Bolts - To be used at the home's ground rod or the home's ground wire</u> ===
You will need either a ground rod clamp or two split bolts. It depends on if you will be connecting the antenna ground wire to your home's ground <u>rod</u> or connecting the antenna ground wire to your home's ground <u>wire</u>. If your house has a ground <u>wire</u>, you will need two split bolts. If your house has a ground <u>rod</u>, you will need a ground rod clamp. One for the connecting the antenna mast ground wire and another split bolt to connect the coax cable ground wire to your houses ground wire.    

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
     |-
        ! style="background: #d0e5f5" colspan="6" | <span style="font-family: arial, Verdana; font-size: 20px;">Ground Rod Clamps & Split Bolts

     |-
        | [[file:Ground Rod.jpg|200px|center]] || [[file:Split_Bolt.jpg|100px|center]] 
     
     |-
        | Type: <br /><b>Ground Rod Clamp</b>  ||Type: <br /><b>Split Bolt</b><br />
     
     |-
        | Manufacturer: <br /><b>Morris</b>  ||Manufacturer: <br /><b>Thomas & Betts</b><br /> 
     |-
        | Model: <br /><b>90638</b>  || Model: <br /><b>1-4 Split Bolt Connector</b> 
     |-
        | Fits Antenna Mast Sizes: <b>1/2" - 1"</b>  ||Fits Antenna Mast Sizes: <b>1 1/4" - 2"</b> 
     |-
        | Approx. Price: <b>$9.80 ea.</b>  ||Approx. Price: <b>$10.49 ea.</b> 
 
 |}

=== <u>3. Ground Block for the Coax Cable</u> ===
The ground block is used to ground the outdoor coax cable. Simply connect the ground block, anywhere along the coax cable, between the outdoor antenna and before the coax cable enters the house. Connect the wire to the ground block and extend the wire all the way to the ground rod clamp or the split bolts. Connect the wire to the ground rod clamp or split bolt.   

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
     |-
        ! style="background: #d0e5f5" colspan="6" | <span style="font-family: arial, Verdana; font-size: 20px;">Coax Cable Ground Block

     |-
        | [[file:Groundblock.jpg|200px|center]]
     
     |-
        | Brand: <b>PHAT SATELLITE INTL</b>
     
     |-
        | Part #: <b>10 AWG</b> 
 |}

=== <u>4. Antenna Ground Wire - 10 Gage Copper Wire or Thicker </u> ===
The wire gets connected to the mast ground clamp. The wire is then extended to and connected to the ground rod clamp and/or the split bolts. Another wire is needed to ground the coax cable. This wire should be connected to the coax cable ground block and extend to the ground rod clamp and/or the split bolts.  Be sure to use a solid copper wire that is 10 AWG or thicker. Purchase enough length so that you will have enough length to extend the wire starting from the antenna mast clamp to your home's ground rod or ground wire. Also, purchase enough wire length so you can extend it starting from the coax cable ground block to the ground rod clamp and/or the split bolts.  

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
     |-
        ! style="background: #d0e5f5" colspan="6" | <span style="font-family: arial, Verdana; font-size: 20px;">10 AWG Wire

     |-
        | [[file:wire.jpg|200px|center]]
     
     |-
        | Brand: <b>PHAT SATELLITE INTL</b>
     
     |-
        | Part #: <b>10 AWG (or thicker)</b> 
 |}

=== <u>5. Wire Cutters</u> ===
Almost any brand of wire cutters will work.

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
     |-
        ! style="background: #d0e5f5" colspan="6" | <span style="font-family: arial, Verdana; font-size: 20px;">Wire Cutters

     |-
        | [[file:wirecutters.jpg|200px|center]]
     
     |-
        | Brand: <b>BOOSDEN</b>
     
     |-
        | Part #: <b>6.5" - 1 Pack</b>
     |-
        | Approx. Price: <b>$6.98</b>  
 |}

== Grounding the TV Antenna Mast ==

Coming Soon.

== Grounding the TV Antenna Coax Cable ==

Coming Soon.