Earthing/grounding of coax outer braid

General discussions
Post Reply
Paul
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:52 am
Location: SW UK

Earthing/grounding of coax outer braid

Post by Paul » Tue Apr 17, 2018 12:06 pm

I know that I'm a dummt, but would be grateful for advice on how best to physically connect coax outer braid to an earth-rod.
Is it acceptable to turn back some of the outer braid when fitting say a PL259 to an SO239 and clamp the earth strap or wire to/around it, covering the lot with self-amalgamating tape and running the earth lead down the mast to the clamp on the earth-rod?
If not, what is the "usual" way of doing this?
I have a nagging feeling that there must be a better way...(I've thought of a couple, but they might be just as questionable).

Reason: No reason

DanubeBCL
Posts: 203
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2016 12:39 pm

Re: Earthing/grounding of coax outer braid

Post by DanubeBCL » Tue Apr 17, 2018 3:01 pm

When you have no other choice except tapping the coax cable, there are ground clamps available which seal the cable waterproof after application.
They look somewhat like these:
https://www.mauritz.de/en/lightning-pro ... of-7mm-9mm
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/coax-gro ... -1697.html
The websites are just examples, of course, no ads intentioned.
You need to remove some plastic from the cable coating.

Normally coaxial sockets are made of metal which is fixed to the enclosure with screws/bolts. You should also be able to add a cable lug under one of the bolts/screws with a ground wire (when the enclose can be opened and is not sealed).
It is not absolutely necessary to run down a separate earth lead from the top of the mast. You can ground the coax cable with a clamp (see above) at the base of the mast (if it goes down there).

The clamps are of course only one method to "tap" a coax cable. You you could also construct a metal plate with a plug coupling or use lightning arrestors with a ground connector like here (probably not very climate proof):
http://www.americanradiosupply.com/opek ... -arrestor/

73, Heinrich

Reason: No reason

Paul
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:52 am
Location: SW UK

Re: Earthing/grounding of coax outer braid

Post by Paul » Tue Apr 17, 2018 3:33 pm

Thanks very much Heinrich that's most helpful.

Reason: No reason

Post Reply