Any worries of Lightning? (See Grounding Thread) - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

khester2009 · 2009-08-30, 09:36 PM

Hey everyone, I mounted my antenna to the roof this morning and my wife asked a really good question. What if lightning hits it? I said I don't know. So I was curious if anyone had any information on something I sould be doing or if I even need to worry about it. I would assume that the chances are pretty rare, but with my luck it wouldn't be that rare.

Thanks in advance,
Khester

recneps77 · 2009-08-30, 09:46 PM

Always make sure your mast is grounded (if it's not a tower sunk in the ground) as well as your coax BEFORE it enters your house to ensure you're protected.

ota_canuck · 2009-08-30, 10:13 PM

Nothing you do will prevent a lightning strike upon your home. Direct lightning strikes on a house is a very unlikely occcurance, but they do happen by chance and only by chance.

Follow the grounding rules and ground the mast. The antenna is somewhat self grounded through the shield in the coax, however it's a good idea to use a grounding block before the cable enters the house. The grounded coax shield only helps to discharge any electro/magnetic static from building up in your antenna system.

In general, your antenna should not cause a lighting strike, but if lighting does by chance strike something nearby, grounding may save your equipment from damages. It is just as likely that a lightning bolt could wipe out your chimney or a tree in your yard and totally miss your antenna.

Should you ever experience a direct lightning strike, duck and run....

JamesK · 2009-08-30, 10:30 PM

It doesn't take much to attract lightning, if you do something to make yourself the easiest path. A couple of weeks ago, a 5 year old boy was carrying a metal scooter over his shoulder. He was hit and died several days later. A TV antenna tower will likely be hit, if it's the tallest structure in the vicinity. The CN Tower is often hit mulitple times in the same storm.

ScaryBob · 2009-08-30, 10:36 PM

Outside TV antennas must be grounded. Grounding methods are outlined in the Canadian electrical code. Failing to do so is breaking the law. That could result in insurance problems or even prosecution if lightning causes property damage or personal injury. I would also ground the coax from attic mounted antennas. A direct lightning strike is not necessary to cause equipment damage.

99gecko · 2009-08-30, 10:50 PM

this thread is what you need:
Grounding Info & Standards: OTA/Dish/CATV/Telecom

cheers.

JamesK · 2009-08-30, 10:04 PM

Lightning is always a concern. Safety dictates a properly grounded tower and arrester. The arrester should be directly connected to the main house ground, with a short, heavy wire.

OTA · 2009-08-30, 11:10 PM

How do you protect your TV and antenna from getting fried by lightning?
I live on a building and I need some good tips to protect my TV.

EDIT: I saw lots of threads regarding this topic, but nothing refers to building apartments.

57 · 2009-08-31, 12:12 AM

Quote:

I live on a building

Most people live in buildings.

Please provide us with more information - are you on the top floor, where is your antenna, what is the antenna, is there a huge mast already on the top of your building for other purposes, etc.

I assume you're concerned about lightning strikes and your antenna and not lightning affecting the building electricals, which would be handled differently (unplugging your equipment during a storm is the only sure-fire protection for that eventuality - no surge protector has the capacity to protect from a lightning strike)

johnpost · 2009-08-31, 10:38 AM

lots of info in

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=62265

Grounding Info & Standards: OTA/Dish/CATV/Telecom

2009-08-30, 09:36 PM	#1
khester2009 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Posts: 7	Any worries of Lightning? (See Grounding Thread) Hey everyone, I mounted my antenna to the roof this morning and my wife asked a really good question. What if lightning hits it? I said I don't know. So I was curious if anyone had any information on something I sould be doing or if I even need to worry about it. I would assume that the chances are pretty rare, but with my luck it wouldn't be that rare. Thanks in advance, Khester

2009-08-30, 10:36 PM	#5
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	Outside TV antennas must be grounded. Grounding methods are outlined in the Canadian electrical code. Failing to do so is breaking the law. That could result in insurance problems or even prosecution if lightning causes property damage or personal injury. I would also ground the coax from attic mounted antennas. A direct lightning strike is not necessary to cause equipment damage. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

2009-08-30, 11:10 PM	#8
OTA Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North York Ontario, Canada Posts: 98	OTA- lightning protection for (Apartment) Buildings How do you protect your TV and antenna from getting fried by lightning? I live on a building and I need some good tips to protect my TV. EDIT: I saw lots of threads regarding this topic, but nothing refers to building apartments.

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2009-08-30, 09:46 PM	#2
recneps77 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Whitby Posts: 2,815	Always make sure your mast is grounded (if it's not a tower sunk in the ground) as well as your coax BEFORE it enters your house to ensure you're protected.

2009-08-30, 10:13 PM	#3
ota_canuck Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dunnville, Ontario on the Grand River, North shore Lake Erie Posts: 2,405	Nothing you do will prevent a lightning strike upon your home. Direct lightning strikes on a house is a very unlikely occcurance, but they do happen by chance and only by chance. Follow the grounding rules and ground the mast. The antenna is somewhat self grounded through the shield in the coax, however it's a good idea to use a grounding block before the cable enters the house. The grounded coax shield only helps to discharge any electro/magnetic static from building up in your antenna system. In general, your antenna should not cause a lighting strike, but if lighting does by chance strike something nearby, grounding may save your equipment from damages. It is just as likely that a lightning bolt could wipe out your chimney or a tree in your yard and totally miss your antenna. Should you ever experience a direct lightning strike, duck and run....

2009-08-30, 10:30 PM	#4
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,039	It doesn't take much to attract lightning, if you do something to make yourself the easiest path. A couple of weeks ago, a 5 year old boy was carrying a metal scooter over his shoulder. He was hit and died several days later. A TV antenna tower will likely be hit, if it's the tallest structure in the vicinity. The CN Tower is often hit mulitple times in the same storm.

2009-08-30, 10:50 PM	#6
99gecko Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Markham, ON Posts: 2,524	this thread is what you need: Grounding Info & Standards: OTA/Dish/CATV/Telecom cheers.

2009-08-30, 10:04 PM	#7
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,039	Lightning is always a concern. Safety dictates a properly grounded tower and arrester. The arrester should be directly connected to the main house ground, with a short, heavy wire.

2009-08-31, 10:38 AM	#10
johnpost Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 224	lots of info in http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=62265 Grounding Info & Standards: OTA/Dish/CATV/Telecom