[amsat-bb] Re: Lightning protection

[Glen Zook]

Sorry, but NFPA NEC (National Electrical Code) definitely requires that ALL grounding electrodes MUST be connected together!  There are VERY good reasons for doing this.

If the antenna were to take a direct lightning strike, the charge could definitely be carried down the shield of the coaxial cable, to the chassis of the equipment, and then through the 3rd wire of the power cord to the electric wiring of the house / building!

Also, for proper lightning protection, the shield of the coaxial cable needs to be grounded to the mast near the antenna, at the bottom of the mast or where the ground lead from the mast connects to the ground rod, and again just before the cable enters the building.

There are various ways of getting a good lightning ground.  One of those ways is outlined at:

http://k9sth.com/uploads/Lightning_Primer_1.pdf


Although lightning arrestors do get the shield grounded, there are much cheaper ways of doing this.  I don't believe that the reflector will let me attach a photo.  However, I can E-Mail a photo of a method to get the shield grounded if requested.
 
Glen, K9STH
AMSAT 239 / LM-463


Website:  http://k9sth.com



On Wednesday, October 16, 2013 5:08 PM, damon runion <damonwa4hfn at gmail.com> wrote:
 
What ever you decide  DO NOT put your antenna grounding anywhere near
your main house electrical ground
Damon

On 10/16/13, R.T.Liddy <k8bl at ameritech.net> wrote:
> David,
>
> Here is what I did in your same situation.
>
> Make sure you have at least 3 feet of mast extending above the antenna
> from the rotator.  Attach at least a #10 STRANDED copper wire to the
> tower/tripod just below the rotator and route it as straight and short as
> possible to the thickest and longest copper-coated ground rod you can
> find directly below (as much as possible) your tower/tripod.
>
> Then, KYFC because lightning will go wherever it pleases.  But, at least
> you will have given it the most pleasing path you could.
>
> GL/73,     Bob K8BL
>
> P.S.  If you have a tower, DO NOT trust the connection between the sections
>   to give you the best lightning ground. ALWAYS run the ground wire all the
>   way to the TOP. Otherwise, your coax will have the least resistance.
>
> From: David Carr <dc at dcarr.org>
> To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
> Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 4:10 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Lightning protection
>
>
> Hi group,
>
> I have a new wooden outbuilding and am thinking of putting a rotator on the
> roof.  What are the best practices for lightning protection for a setup like
> this?
>
> I'm not as worried about the equipment as I am the building catching on
> fire.  There are some things inside that are very important to me.
>
> Thanks for the help,
> David KD5QGR
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