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FureverFurry
RIP Daphne: 3/12/05 - 6/19/12
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FureverFurry

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[Install] How to tell if the coax into home is grounded ?

How might I determine if the Comcast coax cables coming into my home from the street are grounded ?

Last year I had a "less than stellar" subcontractor. I'm not mechanically inclined: all I know is that the cable comes from the pole on the street to "something" in my attic. On the outside of the house are coax connected to two (2) splitters.

A number of years ago, my elderly parents had a horrible Comcast surge because their Comcast coax wasn't grounded. Fried anything connected to coax ...! They lived in a mobile home (or "traaaaaaay-ler") and it was easy to see the grounding --- after Comcast had to do alot of repairs and provide grounding.

Thanks.
rody_44
Premium Member
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA

rody_44

Premium Member

Post pictures of whats outside. we can probably tell you.

Tr0utp0nD
join:2000-12-20
Clarks Summit, PA

Tr0utp0nD to FureverFurry

Member

to FureverFurry
Take a standard digital multi meter, set to 2K ohm scale and then touch one end to a good known ground and the other end to the outer part of a coax connector. The meter should read near 0 ohm. If its not grounded it will read open.

FureverFurry
RIP Daphne: 3/12/05 - 6/19/12
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join:2012-02-20
49xxx

FureverFurry

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Thanks, but I'm an old lady.

Tr0utp0nD
join:2000-12-20
Clarks Summit, PA

Tr0utp0nD

Member

Well grounding is an electrical connection so you need an electrical device to test it. While you can take pictures, all we could do is say yes a grounding device is present or not present but there's not way visually to know that its working. Typically comcast will install a grounding block where the wire comes into the house and ground it to your electrical meter. That being said you can have an electrician or qualified low voltage cabling specialist run an additional ground from the splitter inside to the household ground and test everything. almost all splitters have a contact where a grounding wire can be attached.

graysonf
MVM
join:1999-07-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL

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said by Tr0utp0nD:

Take a standard digital multi meter, set to 2K ohm scale and then touch one end to a good known ground and the other end to the outer part of a coax connector. The meter should read near 0 ohm. If its not grounded it will read open.

I would first verify that there is no stray voltage present before using an ohm meter, even though modern equipment is likely well protected against being damaged or destroyed when using an ohm meter to measure voltage.

nerdburg
Premium Member
join:2009-08-20
Schuylkill Haven, PA

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Right before or right after the coax enters your house you should find what looks like a barrel connector with a thick green wire attached to it. The wire should be connected to your home's electrical system or it may be attached to a water pipe.
kenward1
join:2000-01-05
Olympia, WA

kenward1

Member

said by nerdburg:

Right before or right after the coax enters your house you should find what looks like a barrel connector with a thick green wire attached to it. The wire should be connected to your home's electrical system or it may be attached to a water pipe.

Or, in my case, the ground wire is attached directly to a grounding rod that is driven into the soil next to my foundation.

nerdburg
Premium Member
join:2009-08-20
Schuylkill Haven, PA

nerdburg

Premium Member

It can be connected to the same ground rod as your electrical system (hence, part of the home's electrical system) but it should not be earth grounded on its own.

EG
The wings of love
Premium Member
join:2006-11-18
Union, NJ

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said by Tr0utp0nD:

That being said you can have an electrician or qualified low voltage cabling specialist run an additional ground from the splitter inside to the household ground and test everything. almost all splitters have a contact where a grounding wire can be attached.

Multiple grounds can prove to be problematic..

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

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If you have any doubts about the grounding you should call ComCast and ask them to check it (should be free) or a licensed electrician (could be a little costly but cheaper than your life or home or equipment)