Bonding TV ariels & amps

[jibjob]

Hi all,

I've been asked by a TV ariel installation company to quote for bonding a soon to be installed TV ariel and amplifier. The service will be shared by a number of flats in the same buliding. Can't find anything in the BRB regarding the regs on this.
Can anyone help/enlighten?

 

[nick611]

the tv amp will be in roofspace of building or hallway cupboard.this is not outside of building.take a 4mm or 6mm from landlords supply and this is fine.this reg only apply,s to communial ariel.s

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Perhaps it is to dissipate a static charge? I don't think it's a requirement in the regs but it's certainly not a bad idea.

Remember, if it's a PME system then it will need a seperate earth rod.

The bonding should be taken back to the pme...the purpose of main bonding is to ensure there can be no potential difference between conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts....introducing another earth potential via a rod would totally defeat the object of the excercise.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I was told something completely different by my NICEIC inspector. He pulled me on a garage/studio conversion that I installed a few years ago and said that I should have installed a seperate earth rod. He wasn't impressed either....

I'm afraid your NIC inspector was talking out of his posterior........Next time you see him ask him to point out the regulation to back up his nonsense.

 

[Hawk81]

The bonding should be taken back to the pme...the purpose of main bonding is to ensure there can be no potential difference between conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts....introducing another earth potential via a rod would totally defeat the object of the excercise.

that is the point i was trying to make. people blindly go around banging in spikes because they see PME.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

that is the point i was trying to make. people blindly go around banging in spikes because they see PME.

Agree totally....they will happily install outside lights and sockets directly off the MET PME but as soon as a shed/garage/ariel is mentioned they come over all unnecessary.

 

[Martin Dawes]

The bonding should be taken back to the pme...the purpose of main bonding is to ensure there can be no potential difference between conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts....introducing another earth potential via a rod would totally defeat the object of the excercise.

Even for equipment outside of the equipotential zone?

 

[cbw]

The last HMO I did needed a 10mm bond back to MET, this was done at the amp, simply by looping the seperate outgoing cables together, I am looking for a picture that I know I have...................

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Even for equipment outside of the equipotential zone?

Why would you want to bond something outside the equipotential zone?

 

[nick611]

i would only fit stake to garage if it had seperate water main/metal structure unless i ran a10mm swa and could satisfy 10mm mainbond.otherwise there is no need

 

[jibjob]

Thanks for all your comments guys, very helpful, time to put it all into practice I guess

 

[Martin Dawes]

Why would you want to bond something outside the equipotential zone?

I thought that was what the original question was all about? Talking about bonding an aerial. As an aerial would expected to be mounted outside of an equipotential zone, it throws up questions.

 

[jibjob]

Well, it seems to be established that bonding an ariel being used by more than one dwelling is a sensible idea but how it's done is dependant on the earthing system present. The ariel may well be mounted on a chimney or in the loft. Either way it will connected to equipment within the building some of which may be earthed some that won't. It's the method that's in question, back to the MET or a new spike? A previous post pointed out that you wouldn't put in a spike if you where installing outside lights, you'd run an earth from the dwelling.
As bonding is there to protect against dangerous voltages, I would of thought bonding the ariel to the MET is the right way to go, PME or otherwise. By bonding to a spike you run the risk of introducing a different potential. Please put me right if you think I'm wrong but be gentle

 

[mhar]

Before flatscreens there were very high voltages present in crt tv's. The aerial input was double insulated from these voltages but this could break down. I have experienced this twice and know of a plumber wetting himself climbing into a loft and touching a metal splitter whilst touching pipework - class II tv, faulty insulation with no path to earth except up aerial cable. Obviously this is less of an issue now but surely it makes sense to bond when making a direct electrical connection between properties. I do this as a matter of course and won't take a feed of a dish or an aerial for a neighbour unable to receive from their property unless I can bond. Bonding the dish is pointless as the lnb (unit on the feedarm) is insulated from the dish by it's plastic holder
Having said this I placed an order with my aerial suppliers for a bonding (bus) bar two weeks ago to be told they were not stocking them anymore

 

[netblindpaul]

IF you bond an aerial system then you bond the aerial construction to the MET, thus you now put a giant lightning magnet on the roof of the building.
Next comments please?...

 

[needasparks]

Yes got to agree with netblindpaul. don't think the general idea is to earth the aerial but it would give it a potential. interesting point.
Let me pull up me chair to listen.