DSS System II (160-2531) Installation - Part 3 Faxback Doc. # 15841 INSTALLING THE GROUNDING BLOCK Outdoor Dish Antenna Grounding Local electrical codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC) require a grounding block to be attached to the coaxial cable at the point of entry into the building to prevent damage from static voltage buildup and from surges induced by nearby lightning strikes. Use ground wire to connect the grounding block to a ground rod or a metal cold water pipe. Secure the ground wire to the ground rod using a ground rod clamp or to a metal cold water pipe using a cold water pipe clamp with the shortest possible length of wire. You must check your local electrical code for guidelines when using cold water pipes and ground rods for electrical grounding. The grounding block has two coaxial cable connectors: One to connect the dish to the grounding block, the other to connect the grounding block to the DSS receiver. To install the grounding block, follow these steps: 1. Use the screws in the grounding block packet to attach the grounding block to the side of the house close to the cable's entry point. 2. Attach the coaxial cable to be routed to the dish to one connector on the grounding block. 3. Attach the coaxial cable to be routed to the DSS receiver to the other connector on the grounding block. 4. Insert the ground wire under the grounding screw and tighten the screw. 5. Attach the ground wire to the ground rod using the ground rod clamp. Installing and Routing Cable When you route the cable into the house, select the shortest route from the grounding block to the DSS receiver so that you do not use more than 112 feet of coaxial cable. If you need more cable, purchase pre-terminated -- connectors attached -- RG-6 coaxial cable. Also, you must purchase a TVRO bullet amplifier and install it on the end of the first cable before connecting additional cable. The TVRO bullet amplifier boosts the satellite signal. CAUTION: When you install the cable and route it to the DSS receiver, be careful not to drill into hidden wiring, ducts or plumbing. Do not drill near an electrical outlet. Routing Cable Through an Exterior Wall If you are careful and know the location of electrical wiring, phone wiring and the plumbing in the walls, you can route the coaxial cable through an exterior wall into the house. Make sure the hole you drill is above ground-level. Determine the thickness and composition of the wall before you drill. Drill from the inside to the outside. If the exterior wall is near the DSS receiver, you can install coaxial cable wall plate at the entry point. Then, you can connect the receiver to the connector in the wall plate with coaxial cable. If the exterior wall is a basement or crawl space wall, you can route the cable under the floor to the DSS receiver. Drill between studs just above the baseboard and at least 5 inches or more from any door or window opening. Otherwise, you could drill into framing. When you are through with the installation, seal entry points carefully with silicone sealant. Materials needed: Two lengths of RG-6 coaxial cable. (If you plan to install a coaxial cable wall plate, you will need an additional length of coaxial cable.) Coaxial cable wall plate Tie wraps to secure the coaxial cable to a pole or mast Tape Silicone sealant Tools needed: Electric drill Screwdriver 1/2" high-speed bit, 12 inches long for drilling through interior walls or through an exterior wood siding wall. 1/2" masonry bit, 12 inches long for drilling through exterior brick, poured cement or cinder block. To route cable through a wall, follow these steps: 1. Make sure the DSS receiver is unplugged. 2. Drill a 1/2" hole through the wall using a 1/2" high speed or masonry drill bit approximately 12 inches long. 3. Carefully cover the connector on the end of the cable with tape before pushing it through the wall. Make sure you do not bend the center wire. 4. Push the cable through the hole in the wall. Coaxial cable is stiff and usually can be pushed through a wall. If the wall is a basement wall or crawl space and you need to route the cable under the floor to the DSS receiver, go to the section "Routing Cable Under an Interior Floor." If the wall is an exterior wall near the DSS receiver, continue with Step 5. 5. Remove the tape and make sure the center wire on the connector is straight. 6. Attach the coaxial cable to the connector on the back of the coaxial cable wall plate. 7. Mount the wall plate on the wall using the screws supplied with the wall plate. 8. Connect the connector on the wall plate to the IN FROM SAT connector on the DSS receiver with coaxial cable. 9. Seal all entry points carefully using silicone sealant. Routing Cable Under an Interior Floor 1. Make sure the DSS receiver is unplugged. 2. Follow Steps 2 and 3 in the section "Routing Cable Through and Exterior Wall". Then, route the cable across the basement or crawl space until you are below the room containing the DSS receiver. 3. Drill a 1/2" hole through the floor from the room above. Be careful not to damage carpet. 4. Push the cable up through the hole in the floor. 5. Pull any slack wire back into the room below and coil it neatly. 6. Carefully remove the tape from the connector and make sure the center wire on the connector is straight. Then, attach the connector to the IN FROM SAT connector on the DSS receiver. 7. If the room below is a basement or crawl space, attach the wire to the joists or exposed beams using cable clip. Connecting the Cable to the LNB 1. Locate the Phillips-head screw and special hex retainer nut in the hardware kit supplied in the DSS dish. 2. Thread coaxial cable from the grounding block through the mounting foot, mast and LNB support arm. Leave a drip loop. 3. Attach the coaxial cable to the LNB and tighten the "F" connector. Attaching the LNB to the LNB Support Arm 1. Slide the cable connection end of the LNB into the rectangular opening in the LNB support arm so that the LNB points up and toward the dish. Carefully align the LNB mounting holes. 2. Insert the special hex retainer nut into the LNB mounting hole on top of the LNB support arm. 3. Insert the Phillips-head screw into the LNB mounting hole and into the hex retainer nut on the bottom of the LNB support arm. 4. Securely tighten the screw. Sealing the Entry Points It is important to use silicone sealant to seal all cable entry points into the house and any test holes you drilled. The sealant prevents water from getting into the house. Later, if you need to replace the cable, you can remove the hardened silicone sealant, change the cable, and apply new sealant. (TE/all-07/10/95)