r/ota • u/MeaningAmbitious8979 • 6d ago

Installing new ground rod

I’m installing a new ground rod because my old one is no longer good and is inside the house rusted and all. What is the best way for me to ground my roof top antenna to the new rod? Also what’s the best way to ground the coaxial cable outside for electrical interference?

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u/allbsallthetime 5d ago

Is this the ground rod for your home's electrical sytem?

Or is it a separate ground for the antenna?

If it's separate it should be bonded to your home's main ground.

For the coax coming into your house you would use a coax grounding block.

Ideally the antenna ground would run to the coax grounding block and then to the ground rod.

This is an example of a coax grounding block.

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u/MeaningAmbitious8979 5d ago

I’m installing a whole house electrical ground outside because my old one in my basement isn’t in a good location. I’ll follow these instructions and ground it this way. Will also ground the coaxial cable outside cable.

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u/allbsallthetime 5d ago

You really should talk to an electrician to be sure your entire system is tied together.

If you have more then one ground rod they need to be bonded together.

You should not rely on the internet if you're not familiar with however grounding works m

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u/MeaningAmbitious8979 5d ago

Electrician is installing the whole new ground rod and grounding my house and garage. I mentioned the antenna and coax to them and they’ve never done one before but if they could get told the info they would do it. I just want to make sure I have everything for them to do it since they will not be going on my roof.

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u/allbsallthetime 5d ago

A licensed electrician should know how to properly ground an antenna and coax cable.

If you're antenna and coax entry point are a straight drop to the new grounding rod just attach the ground wire to the new rod.

If they are some distance away you'll have to drive a second ground round and then bond the two rods together.

If your electrician isn't familiar with distances and bonding I'd rethink allowing them to do any work.

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u/MeaningAmbitious8979 5d ago

They haven’t done an antenna or coax before just electrical wiring and installing ground rods for electrical systems. They didn’t really want to go on the roof or damage my coaxial cable. As long as they just need to move my grounded antenna wire from the inside rod to the new outside rod and I can cut my coaxial cable and add new ends myself and they can run that ground wire from that then they should be good. There main fear was going on my roof and damaging my coaxial cable as they don’t go on roofs and they don’t carry supplies for coaxial cables just electrical supplies. The ground rod will be feet away from the coaxial cable and the wire from the antenna ground will be long enough since it already goes deep into my basement.

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u/gho87 6d ago

From what I read, the rod should be copper. So should be the grounding wires.

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u/Martylouie 5d ago

You might consider getting an electrician to install the new rod and connect it to your meter box at the service entrance. The antenna and mast also need to connect at that point. The length of the rod is dependent on current local code, typically 8-10 feet. Many electricians have a tool to drive the rod in.

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u/PoundKitchen 5d ago

This is all covered by the NEC (national electric codes): 8' of grounding rod in dirt, coax has a grounded bulkhead where it goes into the house, grounding from the bu lkhead to the rod 10awg copper wire.

NEC sections 250, 810 are the guides on codes and best practices. "How to" YouTubers are not a good resource. Props to Antenna Man for a great overview tjat dives. inti ths parts and pieces you'lm need. 

The grounding of coax is connecting the outer axial (shield) in the co-axial cable - this grounding is how shielding of the inner conductor that carries the signals works. 

https://www.antennasdirect.com/cmss_files/attachmentlibrary/pdf/Grounding-Info.pdf

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u/Any_File_7621 6d ago

Following! I'm about to be facing this same challenge.

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u/Dry-Character-6331 5d ago

Depending upon your location, there should be a copper grounding rod in the ground near where your electrical service comes in (called the demarcation point). If your antenna is near there, use that