Antenna Television/Safety Precautions

There are several risks to installing a television antenna, including electrocution or falling from a severe height. Hiring a professional installer is strongly recommended. If you are unable to find television antenna installation services, satellite installers often possess the same skill set. If you must undertake the task yourself, the following safety precautions are essential.

Grounding Outdoor Antennas

Grounding an outdoor antenna is extremely important, as nearby lightning strikes can induce unwanted currents in the wiring. These can destroy electronics and can potentially result in fires. Grounding also prevents static buildup, which can impair reception.

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the USA, when grounding an antenna mast and the cable, you should use a minimum of copper 10 AWG or aluminum 8 AWG wire. The wire should be run in a reasonably straight path, and it is sufficient to ground only the outside of the cable. This can be achieved using a grounding block, which should be placed near where the cable enters the building, whether inside or outside.

If you have a separate ground rod for your grounding system, it must be bonded to the same place as the electrical ground using a 6 AWG copper wire. This ensures that all grounding elements are connected together and share the same ground reference.

Existing cable or satellite installations can serve as examples of how grounding can be done. In many cases, the existing grounding setup of these installations can be reused for the antenna mast and cable grounding, as long as it meets the NEC requirements.

Mounting An Antenna

In addition to the risk of falling off the roof, television antennas are highly conductive. Ensure that the antenna does not come into contact with power lines, as this will result in electrocution.