Found out my setup isn't grounded

[idigg]

So I finally got around to installing my Zinwell 6x8 switch, so I could run a 2nd line to my 2nd DVR.

I mounted the switch, and then started to reroute the coax to the switch, and noticed that the messenger wire from the dish was cut near the grounding block :eek2: It did have a small copper wire going from the grounding block to a cold water pipe, but the actual messenger wire was cut, and I never noticed it.

Dish network did my initial install, I cut over to DirecTV, and they just mounted the dish and used the existing coax, but DirecTV should have noticed this.

Anyways, it looks like I need to run a new messenger wire from dish to grounding block? Any recommendations on what I need to run?

Is it possible to run the messenger wire to my Zinwell switch, then to grounding block, then to grounding location? I put my zinwell switch first, I wasn't thinking.

Any help is appreciated.
Justin

[mobandit]

So I finally got around to installing my Zinwell 6x8 switch, so I could run a 2nd line to my 2nd DVR.

I mounted the switch, and then started to reroute the coax to the switch, and noticed that the messenger wire from the dish was cut near the grounding block :eek2: It did have a small copper wire going from the grounding block to a cold water pipe, but the actual messenger wire was cut, and I never noticed it.

Dish network did my initial install, I cut over to DirecTV, and they just mounted the dish and used the existing coax, but DirecTV should have noticed this.

Anyways, it looks like I need to run a new messenger wire from dish to grounding block? Any recommendations on what I need to run?

Is it possible to run the messenger wire to my Zinwell switch, then to grounding block, then to grounding location? I put my zinwell switch first, I wasn't thinking.

Any help is appreciated.
Justin

Why not eliminate the grounding block, totally? That's what I did when I installed a SWM8 module. My ground runs from the dish to the SWM then to the house ground.

[idigg]

So the zinwell can act as a grounding block then? Any suggestions on where to get a messenger wire?

Thanks!

[litzdog911]

Why not eliminate the grounding block, totally? That's what I did when I installed a SWM8 module. My ground runs from the dish to the SWM then to the house ground.

That's not an approved electrical grounding method.

[Mertzen]

Your option would be to loop the ODU side of the coax runs so that the #17 can reach the ground block. Then get some new coax from the ground block to the WB68 and some #10 solid wire to go to the cold water pipe. If the cold water pipe is copper the ground strap needs to be copper also.

Example

[joe diamond]

As an installer I use the ground requirement and the phone connection as a litmus test,

If the installation company even mentions these issues I quit. They will deduct from your completion rate for failure to activate. They will not refuse the installation because of a situation (every apartment) that cannot be grounded or no landline phone connection.

They will back charge the tech for these items but accept the money for the installation.
Read all the grounding threads...there are plenty. The case of the multiswitch or SWM will be fine for grounding even though it is not UL approved.

Joe

[harsh]

Why not eliminate the grounding block, totally?Because what you're suggesting is in violation of the NEC grounding code.

[jdspencer]

What's with the land line requirement?
DirecTV receivers no longer need one. !!!

[Mertzen]

What's with the land line requirement?
DirecTV receivers no longer need one. !!!

They do, for PPV. D* wants people to buy them on impulse.

[jdspencer]

Agreed, but that shouldn't be a requirement for an install.
PPV can be ordered on the website.

[racermd]

They do, for PPV. D* wants people to buy them on impulse.

You're unaware that the network connection on the newer boxes send the PPV purchase data (and other stats) back to 'base'. Those boxes do not, in fact, require a phone line connection to enable PPV. For that matter, the phone line connection is not a requirement for much of anything, anymore.

During my 're-install' (I did most of the work myself, the tech was there mainly to get the dish pointed in the right direction), I told D* that I was definitely NOT going to connect any of them to the phone line. The CSR simply deactivated my ability to do any PPV purchases via the box - fine by me. Netflix is more flexible, anyway.

The requirement (if you want to call it that) should be re-worded so that either the phone line or the network connectivity on a broadband account would be sufficient. The D* boxes will even test for external connectivity during the connection test.

[harsh]

What's with the land line requirement?That's a question you need to ask of DIRECTV. It remains a requirement in their most recent customer agreement dated April 29, 2009.

[TigersFanJJ]

You're unaware that the network connection on the newer boxes send the PPV purchase data (and other stats) back to 'base'. Those boxes do not, in fact, require a phone line connection to enable PPV. For that matter, the phone line connection is not a requirement for much of anything, anymore.

I think it's pretty safe to say that Mertzen knows about using the network connection for IPPV. BTW, in case you don't know, the network connection isn't available on all newer receivers.

I told D* that I was definitely NOT going to connect any of them to the phone line. The CSR simply deactivated my ability to do any PPV purchases via the box - fine by me.

CSRs have told customers that phone lines weren't required long before any of the receivers had network connections. However, techs still get back-charged for not installing them because it is a Directv requirement. Techs have won multiple lawsuits over this matter, yet the policy still has been unchanged.

[RobertE]

That's a question you need to ask of DIRECTV. It remains a requirement in their most recent customer agreement dated April 29, 2009.

Completely correct. Thats one of my nits to pick here. So many people claim that the phone line is not required. Yet the customer agreement says it is.

It's funny how people pick and choose which agreements they want to follow when it suits them. :nono2:

[Mertzen]

You're unaware :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Anyway. The installed base of network connected [ connected, not capable ] IRDs is so small that at this point it is insignificant.
I maybe connected 5 of them to a network over the past year. People don't know, don't care or don't want to pay for it [ yes it is custom work ].

Phone lines are a requirement so it is still the most 'impulse' it gets. Speak to a CSR, they call it IPPV for impulse PPV.

The online order process is fine, but gives people plenty of time to reconsider.

[mobandit]

That's not an approved electrical grounding method.

Well, just goes to show you that sometimes advice from this forum is wrong, then. When I installed my SWM8 I was advised to remove the ground block, as the SWM8 has a ground point that can accomplish the same thing as the ground block. With that being the case, will someone tell me why a ground block is still needed?

[AntAltMike]

...With that being the case, will someone tell me why a ground block is still needed?



Let me begin by saying that I have not read any NEC version any newer that 2002.

As of at least 2002, the coax outer conductors had to be grounded as near as possible to the point at which the coaxes enter the building. That would seem to make the switch ground adequate only for meeting the grounding requirement of coaxes that enter the building near that switch.

One other thing. The ground wire used for that application had to be approximately equal in current carrying capability to the coax outer conductor. I don't know if the language of that requirement has changed or not, but basically, if you have four coaxes coming off a multiswitch and if you want the switch to ground all of them, then the grounding wires going from that switch to ground must have four times as much current carrying capability as does a groundwire deemed adequate for grounding a single coax outer conductor. I believe that is the reason that many multiswitches have multiple groundwire connection terminals on them.

[randyk47]

The DirecTV SWM-8 installation presentation clearly shows the SWM-8 serving as the grounding point with no grounding block in the system. They clearly show the SWM-8 grounded to the main service ground. This might very well be in conflict with NEC.

[Bluegrassman]

FWIW, my installer (DTV contracted) did not install any ground, or any phone lines to any of my 3 receivers. I bought a duplex and phone jumper to install with my DVR myself just for the caller ID. I've thought about the grounding and wondered if I should call D*.

[BattleZone]

FWIW, my installer (DTV contracted) did not install any ground, or any phone lines to any of my 3 receivers. I bought a duplex and phone jumper to install with my DVR myself just for the caller ID. I've thought about the grounding and wondered if I should call D*.

If the dish was installed close to a valid ground source (within 20' or less), then the installer should have grounded the system. If there is no valid ground source (main power panel/ground rod, or something like an AC or hottub power box) near the dish, then DirecTV isn't going to ground it. They may say "all systems must be grounded..." but the reality is that the cost to properly ground many installations could be several hundred dollars or more, and that would be all custom work payable by the customer. I doubt any customer will pay for that.

Let me give you an example: you pole-mount your dish in your yard 100' away from the house, and then it's another 60' from there to your main house ground. Minimum NEC rules for a grounding rod are an 8' long 3/8 copper-clad-steel rod (some areas of the country require more than this). But all ground rods must be back-bonded to the main house ground, using 6 gauge solid-copper wire, AND you must drive an additional 8' ground rod every 10' along the way. Do you know what 16 8' long 3/8" diameter ground rods cost? How about 160' of 6-gauge wire? Then you've got a line of ground rods running across the yard with a 6-gauge trip wire strung between them (have fun mowing!). And we haven't even talked about installation labor.

Satellite companies have to give lip service to grounding, but in the real world, at least 50% of all installs are not grounded, and problems are very, very rare.

[berniec]

Satellite companies have to give lip service to grounding, but in the real world, at least 50% of all installs are not grounded, and problems are very, very rare.

however the problems can be very expensive, and/or deadly, if one of those installs gets hit by lightning.

[RobertE]

however the problems can be very expensive, and/or deadly, if one of those installs gets hit by lightning.

Grounded or not, a direct hit by lightning is going to be very, very bad.

[Mertzen]

Satellite companies have to give lip service to grounding, but in the real world, at least 50% of all installs are not grounded, and problems are very, very rare.

I think 50% is a very very conservative figure, I would say 90% isn't grounded and 98% isn't grounded correctly [ no #17 from ODU, #17 from ground block to ground, no #10 solid used, not a valid NEC ground, etc etc ]
A lot of time it is bad training and wrong supplies. I can inspect 100 contractor vans and 95% won't have: dual/single with ground, #10 ground wire, ground blocks, ground straps,..

Now let's not vilify just sat satellite installers. I've seen similar stuff from cable and phone technicians. ie. grounded to fence, etc.

[wallfishman]

when i did cable once a week youd see one grounded to a gas pipe !! or a wire just shoved into some hole going nowhere to pass QC.

[AntAltMike]

...or a wire just shoved into some hole going nowhere to pass QC.


Been there, done that. Some guy was crying for a ground connection, so I twisted the 17 gauge mast ground around a 1" x #10 wood screw that was used to secure a plastic outdoor faucet bezel to the 2x8 behind it. He was happy and I got paid.

[joe diamond]

Been there, done that. Some guy was crying for a ground connection, so I twisted the 17 gauge mast ground around a 1" x #10 wood screw that was used to secure a plastic outdoor faucet bezel to the 2x8 behind it. He was happy and I got paid.

My fav was connecting a ground wire & clamp to the ground rod and getting an arc. This is bad news; " Sir, if I connect this ground wire I cause a short in your house electric............"

.."Don't worry about it........mighta missed a neutral somewhere..."


Joe

[racermd]

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Anyway. The installed base of network connected [ connected, not capable ] IRDs is so small that at this point it is insignificant.
I maybe connected 5 of them to a network over the past year. People don't know, don't care or don't want to pay for it [ yes it is custom work ].

Phone lines are a requirement so it is still the most 'impulse' it gets. Speak to a CSR, they call it IPPV for impulse PPV.

The online order process is fine, but gives people plenty of time to reconsider.

I sincerely apologize and meant no disrespect. I visit fairly infrequently and did not delve into your backlog of posts to understand your background. It is my fault for assuming too much. Lesson learned.

Additionally, while the base of network connected boxes is (apparently) statistically insignificant, it wasn't the point I was arguing.

For those that do have broadband internet connections in their home - a growing trend and, I would argue, a significant overlap of D* customers - they *could* forgo the phone line connection in favor of the network connection. If I'm not mistaken (if I am, please correct me), the network connection is a sufficient substitution for a phone line connection on the install as far as D* is concerned.

From the perspective of an HSP or other installer, this may not apply. I was arguing my point based on my own perspective of a homeowner that has done everything myself except for dish pointing. And, ultimately, a D* customer has that ability to change from the phone line to the network connection at any time and still be capable of ordering PPV from the box.

After seeing the replies, I don't think any of that was in question. So, I guess I need to end this by shutting my foot-filled mouth. Mmmmmffmfmfff!

[Bluegrassman]

If the dish was installed close to a valid ground source (within 20' or less), then the installer should have grounded the system. If there is no valid ground source (main power panel/ground rod, or something like an AC or hottub power box) near the dish, then DirecTV isn't going to ground it.

My dish is pole mounted about 3-4 feet from my house and about 12 feet from the AC box. No ground installed.

But I'm not too concerned. I pay for the protection plan. As someone else stated, a direct hit will cause more problems that simple grounding can prevent, and D* will have to eat any other equipment damage. :grin:

[AntAltMike]

My fav was connecting a ground wire & clamp to the ground rod and getting an arc. ...

I got an arc once. I was servicing a C-band dish on a large condo that previously had been the British Embassy many years earlier, and when I touched the 3.5" mast, I felt this really powerful thud. I was wearing sneakers at the time and the roof was dry. I advides the customer I'd return to ground the mast.

A few days later, I connected an 8-gauge aluminum wire to the mast, but since there was no exposed grounded metal on the roof, I fished it through a breather grate on the side of the building that was at his ceiling crawl space level. I then climbed into the ceiling, and when I reached for the bare wire. I saw a spark, I then grounded it to a copper water pipe.

When I came downstairs, the customer told me I had tripped a twenty amp breaker, and that he was unable to reset it, as it kept tripping. Seems the mast was at a solid 110 volt potential, and if I had not tripped that breaker while maneuvering the bare ground wire to where I could connect it to ground, I would have has the 110 volt wire in one hand and the water pipe in the other and if that had happened, I would not now be available to write this post.

[bobcamp1]

however the problems can be very expensive, and/or deadly, if one of those installs gets hit by lightning.

That's not the purpose of grounding. Lightning isn't going to travel miles in the air, see the tiny 2' ground wire, and say "I guess I have to use that wire now."

Grounding is to prevent shocks in case the SWM, LNB, or receivers go nuts and put voltage where voltage shouldn't be.

[Mertzen]

Grounding is to prevent shocks in case the SWM, LNB, or receivers go nuts and put voltage where voltage shouldn't be.

And to discharge static buildup on the ODU.

[bobcamp1]

And to discharge static buildup on the ODU.

Yes. But the amount that could build up isn't lethal. That's all the UL cares about. It might shock the installer a little, and if he's on a ladder it might startle him to the point where he falls off. But if you are your own installer, or never touch the equipment yourself, who cares?

Every time it rains, ESD is discharged through the non-distilled water covering the house and dish. Also, the shields and connectors for all the cables are grounded and also provide some discharge (if the receiver is grounded correctly).

I measured the ESD electric field once to my ungrounded pole attached to the side of my plastic siding (to prove this same point to someone else). It barely had any charge. Neither did the plastic siding, for that matter.

[Grentz]

The static buildup can cause intermittent issues on the hardware, although rare. I had that happen on my old receiver twice in about 6 yrs. Had to remove the connectors, rub them between my fingers, then plug them back in. This eliminates the static and instantly fixed the issue.

Overall, people always associate grounding with lightning though, and the truth is if your dish gets hit with lightning no grounding block or wiring is going to save your system or house.

[raott]

Completely correct. Thats one of my nits to pick here. So many people claim that the phone line is not required. Yet the customer agreement says it is.

It's funny how people pick and choose which agreements they want to follow when it suits them. :nono2:

Its also funny how large multi-billion dollar companies pick and choose which tenants of basic contract law they are going to follow when it suits them.

D* (wisely) is not enforcing it during their installs. It wasn't even mentioned in my last install in my new house.

If D* were to enforce such a landline condition, my bill would effectively jump by almost $30 a month for a basic telephone package and I would be calling my local cable co the next day.

[hdtvfan0001]

Grounded or not, a direct hit by lightning is going to be very, very bad.
Absolutely correct, as demonstrated at a friend's site located 5 miles away from me here last year - they took a hit a block away from their house, and it still fried every receiver/DVR in the house...they had all the proper grounding and even a basic UPS on several units.

Homes as far away as 5 miles suffered all sorts of TV, receiver, garage door opener, and other device losses from the electrical spike of the same lightening hit. One poor fellow lost 6 DirecTV receivers/DVRs, his multiiswitch, 2 TV's, an Amp/receiver, and both garage door openers - $6,500+ in losses. Note: His setup was not grounded properly - it is now.

In my case, I had everything on higher end UPS (my door openers have special surge protector devices from the manufacturer), proper grounding, and suffered no problems, whereas a number of neighbors lost several electronics.

Fact is...there are still variances in local codes and ordinances on grounding standards, as well as the NEC one. This tends to result in installs being varied to this day.

[joe diamond]

Its also funny how large multi-billion dollar companies pick and choose which tenants of basic contract law they are going to follow when it suits them.

D* (wisely) is not enforcing it during their installs. It wasn't even mentioned in my last install in my new house.

If D* were to enforce such a landline condition, my bill would effectively jump by almost $30 a month for a basic telephone package and I would be calling my local cable co the next day.

The Home Service Providers enforce the requirement.

Since it is on paper they use the requirement to screw installers.,,,,,,,,,,,,"Hey, this Joe at WO 3666 reporting no installation here......no land line phone...........' hold Joe, I am getting your customer a waiver so the job can go in this one time'...."

An then the pay for the installation was down ten dollars for failure to connect the phone line.

This happened a long time ago and still does.

Joe

[avmaster]

I have heard of guys getting shocked by a ground. In az in more installs than not, the dish is not in any danger of getting hit by lightning as its normally no where near the highest thing on the house. Now if you are in a 3 story home and its mounted on the peak, then by all means ground it.

The coax is most likely grounded anyways. if there is a ground block at the dmark or entry point thats grounded to the house ground, that ground the sheild is grounded all the way to the dish.

Personally, i think the grounding rules are just b.s. Having any electrical knowledge at all would tell you so. Direct HSP's way of trying to FORCE a ground on every install severly limits mounting locations. Sometimes the ideal place to mount the dish couldn't be farther from a 'legal' ground.

Is not having your sysetm grounded going to effect it in any way? I have personally seen grounds cause more problems than it not being grounded. The coax is grounded anyways like I said, at the reciever as well as teh dmark more than likely.

So basically, don't freak out if your system is not grounded, its not a problem. A direct hit from lightning is going to fry everything, grounded or not, because even if its not 'grounded' with the 10 ga and 17ga messenger, its still grounded within the house.

I would say its best to not mount your dish as the VERY tallest thing on your house if its not necessary. It irritates me when a customer thinks they have to have the dish at the highest point possible when there are several other options.

[wallfishman]

I got Lit up last week on a job. It was just an upgrade add 2 receivers. dish in front of house, nothing was grounded cause electric and all was in back of house. anyways put up new lnb and a 3x4 ran 2 lines to receivers , 1 upstairs , 1 downstairs. hook up receiver downstairs no problem. go up stairs hook everything up as soon as i touch cable to TV BAM !!. WTF I say go get new box same thing. swap lnb , swap multiswitch, try another box and BAM !! go undo box downstairs take upstairs hooks right up no problem. Go back out get another new box for downstairs BAM !! whatever it was whenever as soo0n as i completed a circuit with upstairs and downstairs it lit me up. call boss he says get both boxes and get the hell outta there , tell them to get electrician. Before I leave go down in basement theres 1/2 inch of water on the floor and some pipe leaking right onto the electric panel !! Im lucky i wasnt killed and since i couldnt leave the boxes take a guesss how much I got paid for that one ??? 0

[TigersFanJJ]

I got Lit up last week on a job. It was just an upgrade add 2 receivers. dish in front of house, nothing was grounded cause electric and all was in back of house. anyways put up new lnb and a 3x4 ran 2 lines to receivers , 1 upstairs , 1 downstairs. hook up receiver downstairs no problem. go up stairs hook everything up as soon as i touch cable to TV BAM !!. WTF I say go get new box same thing. swap lnb , swap multiswitch, try another box and BAM !! go undo box downstairs take upstairs hooks right up no problem. Go back out get another new box for downstairs BAM !! whatever it was whenever as soo0n as i completed a circuit with upstairs and downstairs it lit me up. call boss he says get both boxes and get the hell outta there , tell them to get electrician. Before I leave go down in basement theres 1/2 inch of water on the floor and some pipe leaking right onto the electric panel !! Im lucky i wasnt killed and since i couldnt leave the boxes take a guesss how much I got paid for that one ??? 0

Hopefully the customer doesn't call Directv and blame the water leak on you. If so, you'll probably be paying for the damage claim too. Never happened to me personally but I have seen it happen.

[Mertzen]

Another good one. Regional market manager wants to show he's a 'people person'. Rides with each tech sup for a day and swings by every tech on the team.
He tells tech, do some inside work, I'll do the grounding.
Ground to gas pipe ;)

[idigg]

Hate to thread jack all the good stories here :D

I got everything up and running with my Zinwell WB68 switch, and when I now reboot my HR2x's, it goes so fast downloading guide data. Is this normal? I am not complaining!

[SatNoob]

When I activate/replace an old receiver with a new one they've asked me 4 times now if the receiver will be plugged into a phone line I always say no and they say okay and go ahead and activate it.

[adrock13]

i installed my own system. it's nothing extravagant but i've never had any interruptions. i mounted my 18" on a pole and grounded the little ground wire bonded to dual coax to my 3x4. i don't have any additional ground. if i were a dtv installer my work would have failed qc based on nec guidelines. i have no need for phone connections. both my r15 & 16 worked flawlessly until i had to reformat my r15 which is beside the point.

i definately don't agree with installers being penalized as i used to be in their shoes. sometimes a proper ground is not an option for a quality mount. when the knowledge experts with the exact cable lengths and gauge types haven't experienced first hand start preaching the importance of grounding, it's silly. take in mind the average tech probably recieves a minimum of 4-6 jobs in a day. they have to improvise in certain situations to make their other customers happy and keep a tight schedule. ever have to install 3 or more 2-3ird installs &/or service calls set to morning time frames?

[MONSTERMAN]

Satellite companies have to give lip service to grounding, but in the real world, at least 50% of all installs are not grounded, and problems are very, very rare.

True, I would say it is much higher than that. More than likely, only a dismal 1 out of 10 installs are grounded.

True, b/c most problems aren't reported and the average satellite user is really not to well informed. For well informed users like most in this forum, will notice the slightest picture interference.

[Mertzen]

Another case I ran across yesterday. Ground location was just out of reach behind the neighbors gated driveway which touched cust house. Am I going to reach over and attempt to ground, slip and fall. No way.
Ran my wire from ODU. Bonded to ground block and continued.
If there is a QC it would take 10 mins to run some #10.

[bobcamp1]

True, I would say it is much higher than that. More than likely, only a dismal 1 out of 10 installs are grounded.

True, b/c most problems aren't reported and the average satellite user is really not to well informed. For well informed users like most in this forum, will notice the slightest picture interference.

On a digital signal? With an LNB surrounded in a plastic case (cannot be grounded)? Are you saying that the static/noise somehow makes the dish less reflective? Or that the receiver can't digitally remove the small amount of errors?

There are absolutely no problems with picture quality on an outdoor-ungrounded setup. Indoors, if the receiver isn't grounded, there could be issues.

[MONSTERMAN]

On a digital signal? With an LNB surrounded in a plastic case (cannot be grounded)? Are you saying that the static/noise somehow makes the dish less reflective? Or that the receiver can't digitally remove the small amount of errors?

There are absolutely no problems with picture quality on an outdoor-ungrounded setup. Indoors, if the receiver isn't grounded, there could be issues.

Definitely, on a digital signal there will be noise interference within the line from static. "Static dissipation is incredibly important as well as electricity always seeks the lowest potential it can find like water trying to flow downhill. Natural airflow, especially wind, physically knocks electrons loose, creating ionization. The equipment is also electrically charged as part of its operation. If the static builds sufficiently, the insulators between it and the lowest potential will act like a dielectric that's reached its breakdown and current will flow to where it shouldn't. Like through the LNB downconverter circuitry, the receiver box, you if you're touching it, your TV, VCR, etc."

This is especially true in my area. The air is really dry here and constant wind will build up a good amount of static at the dish (LNB) transferring down to the receivers. I bet most problems with receivers are due in part to them not being properly grounded. I have seen first hand, signal interference (pixelation) and especially CLOSED CAPTIONING being effected by not having a dish properly grounded. I mainly ground for picture quality and performance.

[hdtvfan0001]

Satellite companies have to give lip service to grounding, but in the real world, at least 50% of all installs are not grounded, and problems are very, very rare.
Sad to say there is some truth to your statement....of course...if you are among the wrong 50%, and get affected....it's not a pleasant experience.

Fortunately, I am not in that group.

But I had a neighbor end up losing 6 HD DVRs/receivers from a lightning strike surge 5 miles away, because he was neither properly grounded nor on a UPS.

Not good.

[bobcamp1]

Definitely, on a digital signal there will be noise interference within the line from static. "Static dissipation is incredibly important as well as electricity always seeks the lowest potential it can find like water trying to flow downhill. Natural airflow, especially wind, physically knocks electrons loose, creating ionization. The equipment is also electrically charged as part of its operation. If the static builds sufficiently, the insulators between it and the lowest potential will act like a dielectric that's reached its breakdown and current will flow to where it shouldn't. Like through the LNB downconverter circuitry, the receiver box, you if you're touching it, your TV, VCR, etc."

This is especially true in my area. The air is really dry here and constant wind will build up a good amount of static at the dish (LNB) transferring down to the receivers. I bet most problems with receivers are due in part to them not being properly grounded. I have seen first hand, signal interference (pixelation) and especially CLOSED CAPTIONING being effected by not having a dish properly grounded. I mainly ground for picture quality and performance.

But like I and you have said, if the receiver is grounded, you won't have an issue. It has a three prong plug, so if the house is properly grounded, and the power cable is good, then the receiver is grounded. I don't think anyone is disputing that the receiver needs to be grounded.

As far as the dish goes, static discharge on the dish isn't going to cause so many signal errors that you would get a disrupted signal (a.k.a. rain fade).

Also, the coaxial cable has a grounded shield surrounding the copper wire connecting it to the receiver, assuming the tech did a decent job attaching the connector. So the LNB innards and the dish would be grounded enough to discharge the ESD on the dish.

As far as the outside of the LNB goes, it's covered in plastic, so no amount of grounding is going to discharge it.

I think moisture and poor cable connector installation is a big problem with most installations. In that case, the LNB would NOT be grounded and all bets are off. The ESD damage would be minimal, but the receiver and the LNB wouldn't have a common reference.



- Bob

[bobcamp1]

But I had a neighbor end up losing 6 HD DVRs/receivers from a lightning strike surge 5 miles away, because he was neither properly grounded nor on a UPS.

Not good.

Proper grounding would not have saved his equipment. A UPS or surge protector might have, if the strike was truly 5 miles away.

[wildbill129]

The grounding debate will never end. To the OP:

Just ground it somewhere to help discharge static. You can ground it via the multiswitch. Mine is grounded that way, in the low voltage panel inside the house. When my house was built the electrician ran all the wires to the dish through an interior wall, into the attic, and out to the roof via a small weatherproof connector out underneath the eave. It is grounded inside at the panel and nowhere else. I don't want any wires running down my exterior walls. Everything, including my downspouts are in the wall and hidden.

As many have said, grounding will not help a lightening strike. That is not the purpose. In the old days, with large TV antennas, the NEC required a ground, because their design is a lightening rod in and of itself. Satellite dishes have been rolled up into that code. Even with a ground, your still screwed with a direct strike....everything will be fried.