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Re: Ground Breaker and digital cable.

Posted by Steve K (P) on November 24, 2002 at 12:40:34

In Reply to: Ground Breaker and digital cable. posted by DAVID on November 23, 2002 at 22:24:45:

I'm assuming that if you're listening to the hum and unhook the coax input to the cable box, the hum goes away?

The device you are referring to does not really eliminate the ground, it just inserts a small transformer between the ground and the device at the end of the coax...in this case the digital cable box. A tranny shouldn't bother the digital box...everything should work ok. Transformers don't work with satellite systems [between the dish and receiver], however.

Such devices can solve problems, but if everything is properly hooked up, you probably won't need one. Let me elaborate...

The need for a grounding transformer is usually because the cable drop at the outside of the house is not grounded, or not properly grounded. You would be amazed and sickened at how many cable company "techs" have no idea how to properly ground your cable service. The hum you're hearing is likely due to a difference in potential of the two grounds [cable and electrical]. What you want is the cable service well grounded to the *same* ground point as the home's electrical service...that way all the grounds are equal.

The cable company should [and usually does] provide this service, free of charge, since it was their job to do it right in the first place. I'd call up their customer support and ask to have your ground redone. Then, make sure you're there when the service guy arrives so you can hold his hand. That all said, a coaxial grounding block and a bit of wire is cheap enough that you may wanna do this yourself to save the headache of dealing with the dunces at the local cable company.

:-)
Steve

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