On Oct 15, 12:59*pm, bud-- wrote:
GoHabsGo wrote:
"Dave" wrote in
rica:

Was talking with someone the other day and mentioned that I had just
grounded the TV antenna (the mast, actually) to protect against
lightning strikes, and they said that was not such a good idea because
lightning is more likely to strike a path that goes straight to
ground. *Now I am not sure what to do. *Anyone have any input on this
topic? *Ideas are gratefully received...

Antennas should be grounded in two ways. *First the mast should be grounded *
and second, the cable feeding from the antenna should be grounded to a
grounding block that is wired to a ground source before entering the home.

Grounding is not only for lightning strikes. *Wind blowing over the tines
creates static electrical charge that will be discharged through the ground
wire.

Larry

The NEC (if you are in the US) requires the earthing Larry describes. It
must be to the same earthing system as the power and telephone.

A separate ground rod that is not tied to the power earthing system is a
code violation and bad idea. I wouldn't even use a rod if it is bonded
to the power earthing system. With a close strike, like to a tree, the
rod can be thousands of volts from the earthing system used for power.
That voltage shows up at TVs and anything else connected to the antenna
and power.

The earthing is not for a direct lightning strike - it is totally
inadequate. If you expect the antenna (and house systems) to survive a
direct strike you would have to use the much more elaborate protection
used by hams.

--
bud--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The problem is that you never want to bring the coax into the house
unless it and the mast were grounded in some way shape or form.
Grounding them inside the house is not good. So if you dont have easy
access to the service ground (maybe service meter is way over on the
other side of house). Then in that case the ground rod is your only
choice. You would not want to run a ground wire through the house to
the other side, just to get a service ground. With that you would be
bringing the lightining into the house.