Cable and data lines are relatively easy to run to video and network equipment. However, correctly surge protecting and grounding these lines require a systems integrator’s understanding of how to coordinate a Transient Protection Design (TPD) surge protection system. When multiple breaker panels or structures are involved these systems become more complex to surge protect and ground. An unprotected or incorrectly grounded cable or data wire in one system can allow ground potentials to migrate to other cable and data systems producing large scale damage system wide during a lightning strike. Tens of thousands of dollars in damage can happen with one lightning strike and 90% of the time it is due to an unprotected or incorrectly grounded data wire.
The National Electric Code states at minimum cable and data lines must come into a building and be grounded to the main service power panel ground. By doing this you are giving your equipment a single ground reference point for cable, data and power in the building. The potential for damage increases as these cable and data lines are distributed to multiple buildings. It is common to find unprotected or incorrectly grounded cable and data wires when multiple electronic devices fail during a lightning strike.
Any attempt to protect cable and data systems should begin with an audit and correction, if necessary, of what the previous satellite and cable providers have done. By applying TPD surge protection products on incoming and outgoing cable and data lines, you can be assured that you are doing everything reasonably possible to achieve maximum performance and to obtain maximum life of the system. All TPD recommendations are backed by the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers for protecting and ground of sophisticated electronics.
