Antenna - Grounding, NSIS Special Communication Solutions Consultant, Dhahran, Dammam, Alkhobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Nova Stars Elecronics

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Antenna Grounding

Antennas are supplied with integral feed lines intended for direct connection to surge protection or a radio system. To protect the integrity of the antenna system we supply in these situations, we do not recommend the installation of any coaxial penetrating grounding devices.

The installation of any such device leaves the system compromised, open to elements and seriously diminishes the in-service value of an integrated factory-sealed feed-line which is impervious to the elements. Coaxial ground wire clamps can also deform the coaxial cable resulting in a line impedance mismatch by changing the outer diameter of the cable.

Antennas that have had their coaxial cable jackets compromised for grounding purposes or that have had connectors changed in the field will not be covered by our manufacturer's warranty.

We recommend two methods of grounding our antennas;

1) Use of lightning/surge suppressor
Surge protectors can be installed "in-line" with existing antennas, between the antenna and radio jumper cable. The suppressor is environmentally sealed and is connected using threaded connectors on both sides. For proper operation the surge protector must be grounded – thus providing adequate grounding for the antenna cable sheath. Surge suppressors are available thru Bluewave that accommodate a ground wire, making a coaxial ground clamp unnecessary.

2) Use of a ground block
A ground block is similar to a surge suppressor in that it provides a place for a ground wire to be connected in line with the antenna – in a non-penetrating manner. The ground block will simply provide a relatively easy path to ground but will not suppress surges and will therefore leave RF equipment vulnerable.

In tower installations or other situations where cable sheath bonding is required, a coaxial penetrating grounding device may be used. However, to maintain antenna integrity and warranty, this device should only be installed on jumpers. They should not be installed on cables which form an integral part of the antenna.