How to Ground a TV Antenna

A television antenna is likely to be the highest structure on your property, which makes it the point most like to be hit by lightning. To protect your property from extensive damage, it is imperative that the antenna be properly grounded. Static electricity buildup can also be dispelled by properly grounding the antenna. Beyond being simply a wise idea, grounding your TV antenna is the law. The National Electrical Code, along with many local municipality codes, require the grounding of every TV antenna.

Things You'll Need

• Enough No. 8 or No. 10 copper or aluminum wire to reach from the top of the antenna to the ground
• Adjustable wrench
• Cable ties
• Wire staples
• Waterproof sealant or metal paint
• Copper-clad steel grounding rod
• Sledgehammer
• Grounding clamp
• Screwdriver
• Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Loosen one of the bolts on the antenna mast by turning it counter clockwise a few turns with the wrench. Remove any paint or protective coating from the area on the antenna mast where you will be connecting the ground wire. Wind one end of the ground wire around the exposed bolt. Tighten the bolt by turning it clockwise with the wrench. Seal any exposed metal with paint or sealant to prevent rusting.

2. Run the ground wire to the ground. Secure the wire to the mast with cable ties at four-to-six-foot intervals. If the ground rod is not directly beneath the antenna use a gradual slope in the ground wire and secure the wire to the side of the house using wire staples.

3. Drive a copper-clad steel grounding rod at least three feet into the ground with the sledgehammer. Optimum grounding is achieved by driving the rod eight feet into the ground. Slide the grounding clamp over the exposed end of the grounding rod and tighten completely by turning the two bolts clockwise with the wrench.

4. Insert the end of the grounding wire into the grounding clamp. Pull any excess slack from the wire. Turn the screw on the grounding clamp clockwise to secure the wire in the clamp. Snip off any excess wire within an inch of the grounding clamp.

Tips & Warnings

• The ground wire must contact bare metal to be effective.

• Unless you feel competent to work on electrical systems in your home you should consider hiring a professional to install and ground your TV antenna.

• Never bend the ground wire. If you must slope the wire, keep all angles to less than 90 degrees.

• Never use water pipes to ground electrical devices.

Resources

• Antenna Basics