Sky q earthing

ollie2113

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I have had a Sky engineer out to attempt to install Sky Q in our communal system. He was unable to even start as he said the system wasn't earthed. He couldn't tell me why it wasn't earthed, and why others with Sky (although not Sky Q) didn't have an issue with installation. I've attached a picture below. 123687

There is an identical box below this laid out in exactly the same way.

I've seen a similar issue reported in this forum post and I was wondering whether this is another case of the engineer not fancying doing the work at 3:00pm on a Friday?

Many thanks
 

Analoguesat

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Communal systems can be problematic for SkyQ. Its not a straight swap out and I think additional kit has to be installed in the distro system on the feed(s) for your apartment. So Id guess yes there is a very good chance he didnt want to do the job at 3pm on Friday afternoon :D
 

rolfw

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For a communal system to comply with electrical regulations on equipotential bonding, each part of active kit requires an earth to the main earth terminal, at the least to the case earth of the multiswitch/line amp/splitter/dSCR and if the switch is equipped with an earthing bar, to that as well.

The reason installers of standard Sky boxes won't have commented is that they will simply connect to the feeds in the apartment and not need to look at the head end.
 
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Terryl

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Does that distribution amp have a 3 pronged power plug on it? If so then the case is grounded, then all the coaxes attached to it are grounded.

Not a good way to do it but the case ground through a house hold electrical service would be considered a ground, it would be up to the local electrical inspector to approve or dis-approve the install. (if it gets inspected)

If it was me I would run a proper Earth ground for an RF system.
 

2cvbloke

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Does that distribution amp have a 3 pronged power plug on it?

British BS1362 plugs are all 3-pin, but the earth pin is often plastic on devices that only carry a 2-core cable, which that one appears to be...
 

Terryl

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If only a 2 prong then an electrician would be needed to run a proper Earth ground for this system.

I would not just run a wire over to one of the AC electrical boxes, (as I have seen many a times) that may be against local electrical codes.

On all my system installs like this I use a ground rod as close to the equipment cabinet or room as possible, then run a #10 or #12 copper wire to the equipment needing the Earth bond, in some places with a ground level concrete floor (without a basement below) I just drill through the concrete and drive in a ground rod, then seal the hole with epoxy.

It all depends on the local codes, some require that the system be bonded to the household Earth ground at the AC mains entrance, this may be a big job as the AC main electrical box may be at the far end of the building.

In this case I would contact a local electrician and have him do the job, that way there would be no insurance problems if something goes wrong later.
 

Terryl

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One thing we dont see is if the satellite dish is grounded outside?? There may be an Earth bond outside the building, then the system could (would) be considered to be grounded as the shields (or one of the shields) on the incoming coax would be grounded.
 

rolfw

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Does that distribution amp have a 3 pronged power plug on it? If so then the case is grounded, then all the coaxes attached to it are grounded.

Not a good way to do it but the case ground through a house hold electrical service would be considered a ground, it would be up to the local electrical inspector to approve or dis-approve the install. (if it gets inspected)

If it was me I would run a proper Earth ground for an RF system.

The idea of UK equipotential bonding code, is that each separate piece of electrical equipment is earth bonded to the MET, this prevents build up of touch current and protects maintenance personnel and end users, should a piece of equipment be removed, disconnected or develop an electrical fault

.snip_20190325173520.png
 
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Terryl

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So a direct to Earth ground rod would not suffice???
 
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