broadcast trucks & grounding

[Montre32]

I guess this is where this question would go.

Does anyone know any links to information on if/how satellite equipment in broadcast trucks are grounded? There is sparse info throughout the internet. I'm curious if crews in this type of job ground cables/dish and the like when a truck gets called to a site to broadcast and they have limited amount of time to set up.

[cdru]

I guess this is where this question would go.

Does anyone know any links to information on if/how satellite equipment in broadcast trucks are grounded? There is sparse info throughout the internet. I'm curious if crews in this type of job ground cables/dish and the like when a truck gets called to a site to broadcast and they have limited amount of time to set up.I would imagine that they are not grounded in the same sense that your electrical line in your house or your satellite dish is grounded. An earth ground is not necessary in order to function properly. Think along the lines of an airplane flying through the air.

[Neil Derryberry]

Grounding would matter more if they were using street ac, but my guess is that most of the equipment is dc. I don't know for sure, though.

[Jim Parker]

The truck probably has a small generator mounted inside. If it does, it falls under the National Electrical Code 250.34 (B) which states that "the frame of a vehicle shall not be required to be connected to a grounding electrode...." where the frame of the generator is bonded to the vehicle and it only supplies loads on the vehicle or loads connected by cord and plug.

This is how generators in motor homes are set up.

[videobruce]

But, if the on air talent is holding a mic with cameras &operators standing on the ground (especially dirt) I would say grounding would be a issue.

[mrplow]

Mobile tv trucks and satellite trucks are usually grounded with a grounding rod pounded into the ground when on generator. When on house power (ie: a stadium), they will tie into the house ground. If the house ground is made for tv, it will be a separate ground than anything else in the building so that there is no hum or noise in any of the video. Hope that helps.