Here’s a word to the wise: have respect for electricity. A satellite system only carries about 30 volts of electricity but under the right circumstances that can seriously damage both you and your equipment.
Take, for example, the story of one DIRECTV hobbyist we’ll call “Smokey.” Smokey hooked up his power inserter backwards so that the line that was supposed to go to the dish actually went to his DVR. What happened next… wasn’t pretty. Smokey earned his nickname that day, and his recordings were, as they say, toast. That voltage coming into his DVR where it wasn’t expected burned his DVR but good. That story’s been kicking around for a lot of years, but I remember when it was new. I have every reason to believe it actually happens.
How much voltage is on the line?
For the most part, DIRECTV systems run on 29 volts through the coaxial cable. That doesn’t sound like a lot, that’s true. It’s not going to kill you, at least not directly. It can give you enough of a zap to make you trip, though. Depending on where you are, that could be a major problem. Imagine getting shocked while on a deeply pitched roof.
The same 29 volts heads up the line to your multiswitch, even if it’s built into your dish. If you’re standing up on the roof adjusting the dish, remember to unplug all power sources for as long as possible. A meter like the DIRECTV AIM will give the dish just enough juice to work while keeping you safe. A little jolt can be just enough to cause you to lose your balance while on the roof or on a ladder, and serious injuries can result.
Stay safe up there
It should go without saying, and yet it deserves to be said, that you should never be up on the roof when it is storming. It’s tempting, isn’t it? There’s a little bit of rain fade, and you know that the dish is a little off alignment. If you could just make a slight move, everything will be fine. Forget for a moment that the roof is slippery and so is the ladder… going up there during a storm is just the wrong thing to do. The slightest loose connection could give you a shock, just what you don’t need at that moment. Of course, that tiny shock will be the least of your problems if you get struck by lightning, but that’s a topic for another article.
So, please be careful anytime you handle your satellite equipment. It can be dangerous. Whether it’s the voltage through the lines or any of the many dangers of being up on the roof, it’s easy to get hurt!
Solid Signal offers the best satellite TV equipment, the same things that professional installers use. We also carry a full complement of safety gear. Get everything you need when you shop at SolidSignal.com. If you have questions, call the experts at 888-233-7563. We’re here for you during East Coast business hours.
