Do You Need To Ground Antenna In Attic

Below is an image taken form the nec code book that shows how to properly ground a tv antenna.

Do you need to ground antenna in attic.

Typically the house wiring and gutters represent a much lower impedance path to ground for lightning than the floating attic antenna. In the case of an attic installation your tv antenna will be sheltered from the environment so there s no need to ground it for that reason. If you ve taken the time to insulate lay flooring or even decorate your attic however you may want something that s a little less of an eyesore. If you find the attic install unsatisfactory and you move the antenna outside then you definitely do need it.

If you look at the image below you ll want to use a 6 awg ground wire for all of your grounding runs and suitable ground clamps. For all practical purposes an attic antenna is considered and indoor antenna and does not require any special grounding. But if you have access to a ground connection that can serve the attic splitter it makes sense to use it. The nec requires that the antenna mast be grounded directly.

If you have no access it s hard for me to tell you to go to extremes to find a way. Antennas mine are receive only for fm tv and public safety bands will be generally restricted to the attic. Some attics are dark unwelcoming places used only for extra storage and in those cases nearly any antenna will get the job done. There is no requirement to ground an indoor or attic antenna.