SBCA Installation Practices & Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum recommended torque for N-type connector installation on RG-6 coaxial cable?
- 5 in-lb
- 12 in-lb (Correct answer)
- 20 in-lb
- 35 in-lb
Correct answer: 12 in-lb
N-type connectors on RG-6 should be torqued to approximately 12 in-lb to ensure a weatherproof, low-loss connection.
Question 2: When bonding a satellite dish mounting pole to the grounding system, which conductor size is required by NEC 810?
- 10 AWG copper
- 14 AWG copper
- 10 AWG aluminum
- 6 AWG copper (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 6 AWG copper
NEC Article 810 requires a minimum 10 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum bonding conductor, but 6 AWG copper is the most commonly specified for satellite installations.
Question 3: What is the maximum recommended bend radius for RG-6 quad-shield coaxial cable during installation?
- 1 inch
- 3 inches (Correct answer)
- 6 inches
- 12 inches
Correct answer: 3 inches
RG-6 quad-shield cable should not be bent tighter than a 3-inch radius to avoid impedance changes and signal degradation.
Question 4: Which type of grounding electrode is preferred for satellite dish installations when no existing grounding system is present?
- Ground rod driven 8 feet deep (Correct answer)
- Water pipe clamp only
- CATV ground block only
- Metal building frame
Correct answer: Ground rod driven 8 feet deep
An 8-foot copper-clad ground rod driven into the earth provides a dedicated, reliable grounding electrode when no existing system is available.
Question 5: When running coaxial cable through an exterior wall, which sealing method best prevents water infiltration?
- Electrical tape wrap
- Self-amalgamating (self-fusing) silicone tape (Correct answer)
- Foam expanding spray only
- Standard caulk applied after installation
Correct answer: Self-amalgamating (self-fusing) silicone tape
Self-amalgamating silicone tape creates a waterproof, UV-resistant seal around cable penetrations that won't dry out or crack over time.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a drip loop on exterior coaxial cable runs?
- Reduce signal reflections
- Prevent water from tracking into the building along the cable (Correct answer)
- Provide slack for thermal expansion
- Improve cable aesthetics
Correct answer: Prevent water from tracking into the building along the cable
A drip loop causes water running down the cable to drip off before reaching the wall entry point, preventing moisture intrusion.
Question 7: According to SBCA standards, what is the maximum run length for RG-6 coaxial cable before signal amplification is required for standard definition satellite signals?
- 50 feet
- 100 feet
- 150 feet (Correct answer)
- 200 feet
Correct answer: 150 feet
SBCA guidelines recommend amplification when RG-6 runs exceed approximately 150 feet to compensate for insertion loss and maintain signal quality.
SBCA Installation Practices & Standards 2
What is the minimum recommended torque for N-type connector installation on RG-6 coaxial cable?