Do Attic Antennas Need To Be Grounded

Even if you have a newer plastic antenna there is metal inside.

Do attic antennas need to be grounded. The antenna is essentially designed to capture that electricity. If it is important should i just tap the coax or is a separate grounding wire needed. There is no requirement to do this for indoor antennas. For electrical saftey the antenna should be connected to a lightening arrestor and that connected to ground.

Antennas mine are receive only for fm tv and public safety bands will be generally restricted to the attic. How important is it to ground them. There is an nec requirement to ground metallic objects in a structure likely to become energized such as metal water pipes appliances gas lines etc. If it is just for reception e g.

Yes all outdoor tv antennas should be grounded. Furthermore tv signals are made of electricity. Will their location in the attic reduce their tendency to build a charge and attract lightning. The copper wire at the base of the antenna mast attaches to the copper vent tube that runs to the roof through the attic in a 55 year old house.

But this wouldn t apply to most attic antennas i would think. A tv antenna then there is no need for an rf ground. In the case of an attic installation your tv antenna will be sheltered from the environment so there s no need to ground it for that reason. I can tell you that as of the 2004 nec and nfpa 101 which covers life safety codes there is no requirement to ground a receive only internal antenna system.

I found that a firm grounding of antenna mast gave a better reception as well. Check to ensure that the vent tube is firmly grounded before connecting the wire. However the connection of your antenna coax to various ac operated equipment in this case your converter box or tv introduces the potential of electric shock.