Surge Protect Cable Systems

Why Use Surge Protection on Incoming Cable Lines?

The data network in a home or business is the backbone of automation systems. Every piece of equipment is connected through this network. Once damaging surge energy enters the system, it can continue to any and every piece of equipment connected to the system if left unprotected. It is even more common with large networks to have ground loop surges during lightning events. With a correctly coordinated and grounded TPD installed system, electronic damage can be eliminated or greatly reduced.

How To Correctly Surge Protect Cable Lines

• Place a TPD-Cable on each incoming as well as outgoing coaxial cable line to all buildings, outdoor equipment, etc.
• Place a TPD-Cable on each coaxial cable line leaving the structure and going to other parts of the property or campus.
• A TPD-Cable should be placed on all entering and exiting coaxial cable lines to maintain proper grounding and equipment protection inside each building.

Surge protection and proper grounding of these pathways is needed for proper performance of the equipment it feeds. Whole home surge protection of any facility, however, starts by protecting all breaker panels. Protecting all systems with good quality surge suppression will pay for itself in a short length of time, especially in moderate to high lightning areas. Phone and coax lines should be brought into the home as close as possible to the incoming service entrance panel. Once they enter the building, they are to be bonded together so that all three systems (power, phone, cable) reference the same ground potential at or near the service entrance.  Since the TPD phone and coax suppression units are designed to dump the bulk of the energy to ground, the suppressors need to be grounded, and it is advisable to provide a ground bond as short and straight as possible, using a minimum 18 to 14 AWG wire or larger. This concept provides a common reference point for incoming data and the AC power; therefore, the voltage potential between them is kept at a safe level. This is an extremely important step. If it is ignored, even the best protection equipment may not be effective. 

The cable company should at minimum ground the sheathing of a cable wire to the electrical ground as it enters a structure. Grounding the sheathing only prevents damage to old, non-electronic telephones along with their wiring. This antiquated protection allows so much voltage and current through that anything electronic will likely get damaged or destroyed. TPD-Cable line surge protection is a solid-state device that will not only ground sheathing, but also give the center pin a reference to ground making for a more robust and tighter clamping unit. Because our units are solid-state, they will not fail and then leave equipment unprotected the next time a storm comes around. Our units will continue to work day after day.

National Electric Code Recommends Phone, Cable, and Satellite Type Surge Protection

NEC recommends incoming phone and cable surge protection. This protects and diverts unwanted transient surges from entering the home on incoming power wire, ground wire, phone lines, cable sheathing, and center pin pathways. NEC requires that phone and cable company dMark locations to be located and grounded with a maximum five-foot ground wire to the service entrance of the building. This makes all grounds short for and limits the voltage developed in the grounding connections during lightning strikes. It is recommended that satellite antenna cables should also be routed past the service entrance and grounded there. This may be difficult to achieve, but remote grounding points along with a surge suppression diversion can be put in place to create adequate protection, bringing the building up to NEC standards and IEEE recommended practices for power of sensitive electronic equipment and electronics loads. Areas of the country with dirty and unreliable power from the utility company should also be considered high risk areas. A lightning protection system (which refers to adding ground rods, copper points and down conductors to a building) will greatly reduce the risk of fires caused by lighting, however, it is inadequate to prevent damage to electrical and electronic satellite equipment.

The Importance of Surge Protecting Cable Systems

Transient Protection Design surge protection for incoming cable feeds and inter-building cable connections is a critical consideration for preserving seamless connectivity in both residential and commercial applications. Surge protection plays a pivotal role in safeguarding signal quality, equipment longevity, and data security for both homes and businesses.

Uninterrupted Signal Quality
Incoming cable feeds and inter-building cable connections are the lifelines of signal transmission, delivering crucial data, entertainment, and communication. TPD-CABLE surge protection acts as a shield against electrical damage, ensuring uninterrupted signal quality. Whether you're at home or in a commercial setting, surge protection guarantees consistent access to high-quality content and communication.

Safeguarding Valuable Equipment
Cable systems encompass valuable components, including cable modems, television receivers, and networking infrastructure. Surge-induced damage can lead to costly repairs or replacements of these components. TPD surge protection acts as a guardian, reducing the risk of electrical damage and extending the lifespan of your cable equipment in both residential and commercial applications.

Data Security and Digital Content
In both residential and commercial environments, disruptions in cable feeds can jeopardize data security and access to digital content. Residential users rely on cable TV and internet for streaming, while businesses depend on it for operations and customer engagement. TPD surge protection ensures data security and uninterrupted access to digital assets in both contexts.

Cost Savings
Repairing or replacing cable equipment can strain budgets. TPD surge protection acts as a financial barrier against electrical damage, mitigating the risk of unexpected repair expenses. Whether it's optimizing your home entertainment or ensuring uninterrupted business operations, TPD surge protection contributes to cost savings.

Operational Continuity
In commercial settings, reliable cable connectivity is integral to various operations, including communications, content distribution, and customer interactions. Surge-induced failures can disrupt business activities, impacting productivity and customer satisfaction. Incoming and inter-building cable surge protection plays a pivotal role in maintaining operational continuity, ensuring seamless connectivity for both businesses and clients.

Environmental Resilience
Networking equipment often faces exposure to varying environmental conditions. Surge-induced equipment failures can result in increased electronic waste. Surge protection helps maintain the resilience of cable equipment, aligning with sustainability goals and ensuring the reliability of network systems.

TPD surge protection for incoming and inter-building cable feeds is essential for preserving uninterrupted signal quality, protecting valuable equipment, maintaining data security, achieving cost-efficiency, ensuring operational continuity, and promoting environmental resilience in both residential and commercial applications. It provides peace of mind, reliability, and unwavering connectivity for homeowners and businesses alike, ensuring that the world of data, entertainment, and communication remains accessible and secure, free from disruptions.