Ground created by coax?
Question:Here is the situation:
1. Old house -- 3 prong outlets are GCFI but no ground (meets code).
2. Panamax Surge suppressor reports no ground (which is correct)
3. I connect the CATV cable (coax cable) to the Panamax (it filters noise) and the suppressor reports that I now have a ground.
Is this a real ground? Meaning will the surge protector be able to redirect to the "coax" ground?
Thanks
Answers:
First, I don't know where you got the idea that your GFCIs meet code without a ground. Absolutely false. A standard two wire outlet without a ground can meet code, but ANY outlet with a ground connector must be grounded. If you are able to plug an appliance in that requires a ground, there must be an assurance that the ground is actually provided.
*** Note -- I stand corrected. A labeled non-grounded GFCI is indeed legal, but certainly not best practice. Better to place the GFCI at the head of the circuit and use ungrounded outlets. ***
I would concur that the surge suppressor is picking up the coax ground as a ground connection. This indicates that the shield of the coax is tied to the power ground lug inside the device.
This is a real problem, to the point that I would remove the device until you can provide a proper ground. The coax shield is not a ground connection. It is a noise suppression measure, and while it is tied to ground to make it effective it is not a "ground" connection. The size of the conductor alone makes it insufficient as a "sinking" ground.
To make matters worse, suppose at some point the ground connection to the coax shield becomes loose or corroded. Now you are wiring your sink (where the surge will go when the suppressor traps it) directly to the chassis of the equipment you are trying to protect. In this case, you will send the entire surge right to the electronics of the device (most likely your TV). This would be more devastating to the circuits than a surge directly to the power supply.
Yes for your purposes, the coax is grounded. not the electrical system.
CHECK FOR IT IN THE COAX ITSELF YOU HAVE ALREADY ISOLATED THE CAUSE OF THE GROUND. DON'T YOU HAVE COMMON SENSE?
First off a GFCI will not work right without a working grounding means.
In the outlet that you are plugging into you can run a # 14 wire (green) or bare to a copper cold water pipe attached by a grounding clamp or get a 8 foot ground rod (home depot) and drive it outside and run the same gage wire to it.
your surge protector is prob picking up a ground "signal" from the neutral conductor but in realty is not grounded proper
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