How to Ground a Coaxial Cable

Ungrounded lightning strikes can cause serious damage or death.

If you are installing a satellite dish, HD receiver or another outdoor receiver that requires a coaxial cable, you will need to ground it. The National Electric Code and local codes for safety in case of a lightning strike require grounding your coaxial cable. The easiest method for grounding a coaxial cable is to secure a grounding block close to the point that the coaxial cable enters your house and wire the grounding block to an acceptable central building ground point.

Things You'll Need

• Coaxial grounding block
• Screws
• Silicon grease
• Measuring tape
• Grounding wire (#10 copper or #8 aluminum)
• Adjustable wrench

Instructions

1. Find a central building ground point, such as a grounded interior cold metal water pipe, metallic service raceway or electrical service enclosure. You could also use an 8-foot grounding rod driven into the ground and bonded to the central building ground with #6 or heavier bonding wire. Whatever you choose, be sure that it complies with sections 250 and 810 of the National Electrical Code.

2. Determine where your coaxial cable will enter your house. Use the measuring tape to find the distance to an acceptable central building grounding point. Use this measurement to purchase grounding wire.

3. Secure the coaxial grounding block to your house with screws.

4. Create a 3 to 4 inch drip loop with your coaxial cable below the grounding block. Place a dab of silicone grease on the end of the coaxial cable and screw it into the grounding block.

5. Secure the grounding wire to the coaxial grounding block using the adjustable wrench.

6. Run the grounding wire along the house using wire clips or bury along the edge of the house and then secure it to an acceptable central building ground point.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow all local and National Electrical Code codes when choosing a central building ground point.

• Run your grounding wire from the coaxial grounding block to the central building ground point so that it will not easily encounter people or animals.

• If installing a dish or receiver on your roof, it is important to ground your dish to the same central grounding point as the coaxial cable.

• If you are uncomfortable or uncertain when finding a central building ground point, consult an electrician.

References

• Grounding Your Satellite Dish And System