This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Lightning conductor for ametuer radio antenna mast - electrician says regular PVC sheated yellow green wire is ok from mast to earth rod

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
As per title I am getting a corner of my house setup as a radio shack and wanted to protect it appropriately.

The antenna is made of fibre glass but sits on an aluminium pole that brings the total height to 10m tall (only house in the area).


We have agreed to setup an earth rod below the antenna mast and earth it but the question is - will regular 35mm green/yellow sheated earth be good enough to provide earthing for antenna mast while being exposed to the elements? How long will it last?


Any thoughts on the electrical setup for the radio? We are planning to use the same earth rod and make a TT island for the power socket that feeds the radio unit (as main electrics is PME). The radio will be fed electric connection through an MCB by taking power from the main distribution box protected by a Type 1/2/3 SPD (I have 3 phase 100A supply from DNO) and we will use the earth rod for earth supply.


The radio unit will be powered by a seperate consumer unit which gets it's earth supply from the rod (I might also get a Type 1 SPD in the TT island consumer box).


The antenna and the TT island powering the radio will be linked by a 700A rated earth bar enclosed outside the property in an IP65 enclosure.


Appreciate any thoughts on my setup.
Am I being overkill and do not need a TT island for my radio setup? Will earthing the antenna be sufficient?
Parents
  • During a storm the radio will be disconnected and I am also looking at fixing a 40A isolator between the mains power supply and the TT power supply which I will be turning off when the radio is not in use.

    How much protection will a 3mm or 4mm contact gap of an isolator give against kA/kV lightning? I might have though that physically unplugging things so plug and socket are many inches if not feet apart might be better?


    - Andy.
Reply
  • During a storm the radio will be disconnected and I am also looking at fixing a 40A isolator between the mains power supply and the TT power supply which I will be turning off when the radio is not in use.

    How much protection will a 3mm or 4mm contact gap of an isolator give against kA/kV lightning? I might have though that physically unplugging things so plug and socket are many inches if not feet apart might be better?


    - Andy.
Children
No Data