Skip to main content

    Support

    Offers

C
coberg00
1st Reply
1st Topic

3 Messages

Sunday, September 10th, 2023 3:54 PM

Closed

Properly Grounded Box

Hello there! This past week we had our second instance now where we have had issues with our Xfinity equipment and our personal electronic devices connected to our Xfinity equipment being damaged after a bad lightening storm. In this recent storm we had our set top box and gateway modem get damaged along with an expensive stereo receiver, Playstation, computer docking station, and a security system NVR. I'm positive the surge didn't come through the electrical system because we use surge protectors and power conditioners, and because we have other electronics plugged into the same surge protectors as the Xfinity equipment that was damaged, and only those connected directly to the Xfinity equipment were damaged.  I suspect our system was not properly grounded during install, however, I am not sure what the proper method of grounding for the system is. Right now, it appears the system has been grounded with a lug that has been attached to our service meter housing and has not been taken to ground with its own copper rod. Given this is the second time this has now happened and the surge has come through the cable line, my guess is that the installed lug is not proving propper ground for some reason. Is this the correct way for the system to be grounded?

To say I am not thrilled about losing several thousand dollars worth of electronics is an underatatement, especially since we invested hundreds of dollars in higher quality and more expensive surge protectors and power conditioners to prevent this from happening. 

Any suggestions or recommendations as to what else to look for or how to tell for sure if the system is not getting proper ground?

Question

 • 

Updated 

2 years ago

 • Edited

757

2

0

XfinityRoberto

Official Employee

 • 

1.7K Messages

2 years ago

Hello and welcome to Comcast @coberg00. Thank you so much for reaching out to us about your servie issue. You are in the right place and i am happy to assist you today.

Please send us a direct chat message with your full name and complete service address to “Xfinity Support”. To do so, click on the chat icon located at the top right of this forums page.

Here's the detailed steps to direct message us:

  • Click "Sign In" if necessary
  • Click the "Direct Message” icon (upper right corner of this page)
  • Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon
  • Type "Xfinity Support" in the to line and select "Xfinity Support" from the drop-down list
  • Type your message in the text area near the bottom of the window
  • Press Enter to send your message

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

0

0

flatlander3

Problem Solver

 • 

1.5K Messages

2 years ago

Grounding depends on local code and can vary by city even.  It can get a bit sticky in some locations. 

If you are looking for line protection, all the ham radio guys will tell you Polyphaser makes the best stuff.  It's also not cheap.  75 ohm F type surge protector/suppressor RF coax Series is probably sufficient.   You'll want DC-6Ghz, gas tube.  Gets you about 20kA of protection.  If it blows, you can replace the tube.  They also make Data/Ethernet surge protection if you are running outdoor Ethernet or just want something else inline in case your modem/gateway takes a close hit and fries.  Gigabit is about as fast as that goes, they don't make a 2.5Gbps option. 

Direct close lighting hit?  Well.  Flip a coin.  Lightning is wicked. 

2

0

coberg00

3 Messages

Yea.. I'm just frustrated because it has fried several thousand dollars of electronics now twice, and it's ONLY those connected directly to the cable/TV equipment. No of our neighbors who also have xfinity have had this happen to them, so I am tending to think there is something wrong with our line, and improper grounding seems to make the most sense.

2 years ago

0

flatlander3

Problem Solver

 • 

1.5K Messages

@coberg00​  If you're in for several thousand already, quality line suppressors are cheap in comparison, and use a licensed electrician.  Last touch rule applies for insurance purposes if your house burns, and if insurance wants to be stinky about grounding issues.  Your house also may not have proper grounding and be floating as well, which isn't going to help.  They can straighten out an issue like that, or ground loops and it won't cost much to look at it.  Some companies specialize in lightning too and would be cheap in comparison.  Either would know if you can get away with a ground spike/strap arrangement in your area. 

Small gauge wire clamped to a painted surface on a meter would also not be my first choice of grounding.  You may also have a situation where power is arcing to cable infrastructure on an overhead line some place.  That's a safety issue.  Ground on cable/coax lines should be ground and have neither a DC charge or AC carrier present.  Ever. 

(edited)

2 years ago

0

forum icon

New to the Community?

Start Here