Grounding wire question - wifi box

[tominboise]

I get wifi provided by Sparklight, via an overhead coax line to a box mounted on the fascia of my house. I had to move this box in order to install a patio cover. It was grounded to the main panel mast via a short piece of 12ga solid wire. I moved the box about 30' from the main panel mast. Would solid 12ga be appropriate as a ground at this length? Should I use 10ga solid instead? Is there a better way to ground it in lieu of running it so far to the mast? Also, other then staples, is there any way to discretely secure this ground to the fascia?


Inside the box:

 

[wyliesdiesels]

#12 is fine i personally prefer #10 and to go to the ground bar (or neutral bar in main service panel.

I dont like the conduit bonds they use

 

[mm08822]

I second the #10 back to the panel or to grounding electrode conductor (which comes from the panel).....secure it well and never mess with it again.

 

[tominboise]

Is the 35' to the main panel a problem?

 

[mm08822]

Is the 35' to the main panel a problem?

Not ideal, but it needs to be done. And for sure on the #10 or even #8.
The only other way is to drive an additional ground rod closer and connect a shorter wire AND also connect that new rod to your other existing rods with #6 or #8 copper depending on service size.

 

[tominboise]

I ordered a 50ft roll of 8ga solid copper from HD which will be delivered tomorrow. I need to get some clamps to secure it to the fascia.

 

[mm08822]

I ordered a 50ft roll of 8ga solid copper from HD which will be delivered tomorrow. I need to get some clamps to secure it to the fascia.

Is it bare or insulated? Copper won't play well against aluminum. If your trim/siding is not metal then it won't matter.

 

[tominboise]

Bare copper but the fascia is wood, so it should be OK.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I ordered a 50ft roll of 8ga solid copper from HD which will be delivered tomorrow. I need to get some clamps to secure it to the fascia.

for ground wire clamps i use these

https://www.amazon.com/CIMPLE-CO-Electrical-Fastener-Pieces/dp/B07CBM9DTD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Bare copper but the fascia is wood, so it should be OK.

I wouldve used green insulated wire to prevent corrosion....

 

[yatg]

Use a bonding bridge and connect all the extra stuff (cable, telco, etc) to it instead of going into the panel or a grounding rod.
I think that's in the NEC within the last 10 years.

https://www.amazon.com/intersystem-...tersystem+bonding+bridge&tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mm08822]

Use a bonding bridge and connect all the extra stuff (cable, telco, etc) to it instead of going into the panel or a grounding rod.
I think that's in the NEC within the last 10 years.

Amazon.com : intersystem bonding bridge

It is required now and being pushed heavily. However, older services have a hodge-podge of connection practices made by other utilities.

 

[walta]

Just to be 100% clear you don’t own that box and the providers rules for installation of the service likely require to be install within a few feet of the electric service. Sooner or later they will be on site and when the tech finds this nonconforming installation there will be a **** show.

Do you have anything connected to their equipment with a wire?

Walta

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Instead of running the wire all the way to the mast, you could consider grounding it to an appropriate ground rod near the box

Any supplemental grounding electrodes need to be connected to the existing GES- grounding electrode system. you definitely do not want an isolated grounding electrode

 

[75gmck25]

I think we are getting confused by mixing house current electrical code with a low voltage device installation.

Since you are grounding a low voltage, unpowered device (a coax cable splitter/junction), I don't think 120 volt code requirements for grounding even apply. You want a good ground so you have better protection from lightning strikes or other over-voltage situations, but I think you can ground it without worrying about the existing grounding for the house circuits.

 

[mm08822]

I think we are getting confused by mixing house current electrical code with a low voltage device installation.

Since you are grounding a low voltage, unpowered device (a coax cable splitter/junction), I don't think 120 volt code requirements for grounding even apply. You want a good ground so you have better protection from lightning strikes or other over-voltage situations, but I think you can ground it without worrying about the existing grounding for the house circuits.

Not so, they must be bonded to be/become one system.

 

[dscheidt]

I think we are getting confused by mixing house current electrical code with a low voltage device installation.

Since you are grounding a low voltage, unpowered device (a coax cable splitter/junction), I don't think 120 volt code requirements for grounding even apply. You want a good ground so you have better protection from lightning strikes or other over-voltage situations, but I think you can ground it without worrying about the existing grounding for the house circuits.

No. There's a code requirement to bond everything in one place, and for good reason, it keeps the cable/phone/whatever from beng at different potential than the electrical system. Without a common bond, it's possible to have a shock hazard from coax, and it causes all sorts of problems when lightning hits it. The requirement is fairly new, and not universally followed by installers, and there are millions of old installations still out there, so plenty of stuff done wrong.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I think we are getting confused by mixing house current electrical code with a low voltage device installation.

Since you are grounding a low voltage, unpowered device (a coax cable splitter/junction), I don't think 120 volt code requirements for grounding even apply. You want a good ground so you have better protection from lightning strikes or other over-voltage situations, but I think you can ground it without worrying about the existing grounding for the house circuits.

wrong wrong wrong.

communications infrastructure including antennas are covered under the NEC.

also, a grounding electrode regardless of what its for, is covered under the NEC

it would be incredibly stupid to install an isolated grounding electrode. doing so causes equipment to be at different potentials, which can cause fried equipment especially if there are lightning strikes and surges as well as potential for shock hazard...

you want everything bonded and at the same potential. NEVER install an isolated grounding electrode