Consumer Product Safety Commission Information

Consumer Product Safety

Commission Information

FOLLOW THESE RULES AND LIVE

1.If you’re not sure about a careful, safe installation—don’t try to do it yourself. Call your local power company or check with Yellow Pages under “Antennas or Television and Radio Antenna Systems” for an installer in your area.

2.With at least two people, assemble as much of the antenna on the ground as possible.

3.Watch out for overhead powerlines. Check the distance to the powerlines before you start installing—WE RECOMMEND YOU STAY A MINIMUM

OF TWICE THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF THE ANTENNA AND ITS MAST AWAY FROM ALL POWERLINES.

4.Do not use a metal ladder.

5.Remember, even the slightest touch of an antenna to a powerline can cause a fatal shock.

6.Don’t try to do the job on a windy day.

7.Have a friend watch as a spotter on the ground when you’re on the roof to see things you can’t.

8.If you start to drop the antenna, get away from it and let it fall.

9.If any part of the antenna comes in contact with a powerline—CALL

YOUR LOCAL POWER COMPANY; DON’T TRY TO REMOVE IT YOURSELF! They will remove it safely.

10.Keep mast, lead-in and metal guy wires away from powerlines, too. They are all excellent conductors of electrical current.

11.Be sure everyone understands the danger of touching an overhead powerline. Tell them never to try to remove any object touching a powerline.

12.Make sure that the antenna and its mast are properly grounded.

HOW TO SELECT AND MEASURE YOUR INSTALLATION SITE

Before attempting to install your antenna, think of where you can best place your antenna for safety and performance. Most antennas are supported by pipe masts attached to the chimney, roof, or side of the house. Generally, the higher the antenna is above the ground, the better it performs. A good practice is to install your antenna about 5 to

10 feet above the roofline and away from powerlines and obstructions. Remember that the FCC limits your antenna height to 60 feet. If possible, find a mounting place directly above your set, where the antenna lead-in wire can take a short, vertical drop on the outside of the house for entry through a wall or window near the set. To determine a safe distance from wires, powerlines, and trees:

1.Measure the length of your antenna.

2.Add the antenna length to the height of your tower or mast.

3.Double this total for the minimum recommended safe distance. If you cannot maintain this safe distance, STOP!

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP.

ANTENNA GROUNDING

To protect your house and your TV/FM installation, your antenna system must be properly grounded.

1.Clamp a #10 copper or #8 aluminum grounding wire to the base of the antenna mast. Using stand-offs every 4 to 6 feet, run the wire down the building in as straight a line as possible.

2.Attach a 300-Ohm static discharge unit (lightning arrestor) or a 75-Ohm grounding block to the antenna’s lead-in cable as close as possible to the point where the cable enters the house.

3.Attach the grounding wire to the lead-in cable’s grounding unit and run the wire to the central building ground.

Acceptable central building ground points may include:

•Grounded interior metal cold water pipe within five feet of the point where it enters the building

•Grounded metallic service raceway

•Grounded electrical service equipment enclosure

•8-foot grounding rod driven into the ground (only if bonded to the central building ground by #6 or heavier bonding wire)

•Other acceptable electrodes that comply with the sections 250 and 810 of the National Electrical Code (NEC)