Connie and anyone new to the list. The National Electrical Code covers
safe practices for home wiring and radio hook up to antenna and/or a mast.
Technically also, ALL grounds at a house must be bonded, (connected)
together by low impedance connections, such as the wire in a trench to
tie the mast to the house radio ground rod.
The phone box outside has a ground wire, that point should also tie to
the radio ground rod(s)
The main electrical meter panel entry point for main wire bus has a
ground lead, that should also bond to the radio ground. Bond means
there should be a metallic connections, wire or braid or strap. Some
times a wire is added in a shallow trench outside the building to run to
each of the existing ground attachment points to completely protect the
house.
The interconnections above means that if one item is hit by lightning,
there is not a massive difference in voltage between it and any other
conductor. Current can spread out on its way to earth, and less heating
is had in the jointly grounded circuits.
One of the good internet web sites for proper grounding and surge
suppression information is the Poly Phaser web site of
Smithsindustries.com, manufacturer of Poly Phaser products
In addition to the books listed for radio hams that include station
grounding information, Poly Phaser will give you ideas on safe handling
of grounding needs. Look at all entries in their on web Media Library.
Especially their White Papers discuss common earthing and grounding
issues of concern to hams.
73,
Stuart Rohre
K5KVH
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