RCA VH126N - Manual (Page 5)

Consumer Product Safety
Commission Information
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.
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.
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)