Originally Posted by
JSHAMMES
In my mind it is not about the cost because the owner is obviously responsible for that. It is a question of who is responsible for the work ? The antenna installer is not a qualified electrician, therefore he is not qualified to do the earthing work and he is thus forced to do an "illegal installation" of the antenna !! I am of the opinion that the installer should include the cost of calling out an electrician to make his installation legal in terms of SANS, in stead of leaving this task to the owner !!!
My old HD DSTV decoder failed and I had to replace it. I went with the new Explora 3a model via DSTV and took the satellite dish installation option as:
1. the new decoder needs a smart LNB, not a twin LNB
2. the new dish is larger than the old dish, so hopefully will result in less signal loss on bad weather days.
So the next day in comes the satellite dish installer who:
1. removes the existing satellite dish from its mounting bracket
2. installs the new satellite dish on the old mounting bracket
3. uses the existing co-axial cabling in place to connect the new LNB to the new decoder
4. removes the existing earthing in place on the satellite dish mounting bracket, clipping the earth wire a tantalising few millimeters short of the base of the bracket! (see image)
I get home that night, see the removed earthing, and called the installer to find out why he removed the earth.
He says it is no longer compulsory, so he removed it.
So I say - please supply me with a COC for the change.
He says he is not an electrician and can't supply me with a COC.
I point out the satellite dish installation is now in contravention of S 6.12.3.2 of SANS 10124-1 in that the mounting bracket is within arms reach of the ground (2051mm above the ground) and it is exposed to weather (as are most satellite dishes). He has rendered my electrical installation non-compliant.
He offered to come back and reinstate the connection.
As he was not going to be working under the general control of a registered person, I declined his offer.
What I really don't get is - Why didn't he just leave the earth alone?
Why remove it in the first place?
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