Satellite Dish Clarification

[Constant]

Hi!
I am a little late to this thread - but as this is a new field of responsibility for me and answers seem to be forthcoming, I would like to try my luck:


1) I fully agree - if the satellite dish is earthed, it should be earthed to common earth
2) Q1: Having a bare earth running down from the dish to earth is probably more dangerous than not earthing it at all, so if earthed, should it should be done in a conduit or sheathed cable and not a bare cable?
3) Q2: Is earthing regarded as electrical work requiring a qualified electrician, or can anyone do it?
4) Q3: In the absence of an earth - e.g. a generator driven rural home - do you earth the dish, or not?
5) Q4: If you earth the dish, do you earth the decoder, your TV and amplifier as well.
6) Q5: ...and if so - who is responsible for doing it and who must carry the cost?

I would really appreciate any input

[AndyD]

Hi!
I am a little late to this thread - but as this is a new field of responsibility for me and answers seem to be forthcoming, I would like to try my luck:


1) I fully agree - if the satellite dish is earthed, it should be earthed to common earth
2) Q1: Having a bare earth running down from the dish to earth is probably more dangerous than not earthing it at all, so if earthed, should it should be done in a conduit or sheathed cable and not a bare cable?

Earth bonding can be an uninsulated braided strap in some circumstances so I don't think there's a requirement for bonding wiring to be insulated on a domestic premises....but I'd wait for confirmation.

3) Q2: Is earthing regarded as electrical work requiring a qualified electrician, or can anyone do it?

My personal opinion is yes. You'd need test equipment to identify what metallic objects are extraneous conductive and require bonding plus you'd need equipment to test the bonding impedance once installed.

4) Q3: In the absence of an earth - e.g. a generator driven rural home - do you earth the dish, or not?

Regardless of the source of the power, every domestic electrical installation requires an earth. If the sole power source is a generator then an earth rod would be required.

5) Q4: If you earth the dish, do you earth the decoder, your TV and amplifier as well.

I don't understand your question, I think you're getting confused between 'earthing' and 'bonding' which serve very different purposes.

6) Q5: ...and if so - who is responsible for doing it and who must carry the cost?

I would really appreciate any input

The cost is for the homeowner's account usually.

[Constant]

Thanks a lot Andy!
I really appreciate the feedback.
You are right - I am confused between bonding and earthing. Could you help explain the difference to me please?
(I assumed that as most TVs, amps and definitely the decoders only have 2-pin plugs nowadays, they aren't earthed and earthing the dish might entice a current through all of them if induced from the mains side - that's why I thought they might require special care as well)