Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 21 replies
  • Subscribers 31 subscribers
  • Views 3215 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
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
  • 0
    Crikey - that is "a complication"

    Sod trying for the TT, all you will pick up is the substation bouncing with noise picked up on the HV lines  - they too pick lightning surges, and are in effect a good noise antenna.


    If the antenna is only VHF UHF, then the feed is presumably coax and does not need a ground at all for normal operation (I tend to think in terms of HF and open wire feeder )

    I'd plant the pole, and run the radio off the mains earth, and put something that can flash over between the coax outer and the pole if they diverge by more than 100V.

    And just unplug when the forecast is for lightning. If the antenna gets hit well bad luck - and maybe take it down when you are away for long periods.


Reply
  • 0
    Crikey - that is "a complication"

    Sod trying for the TT, all you will pick up is the substation bouncing with noise picked up on the HV lines  - they too pick lightning surges, and are in effect a good noise antenna.


    If the antenna is only VHF UHF, then the feed is presumably coax and does not need a ground at all for normal operation (I tend to think in terms of HF and open wire feeder )

    I'd plant the pole, and run the radio off the mains earth, and put something that can flash over between the coax outer and the pole if they diverge by more than 100V.

    And just unplug when the forecast is for lightning. If the antenna gets hit well bad luck - and maybe take it down when you are away for long periods.


Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines