The summer is here, with the temperatures rising,
and the suns energy increasing, which can cause
problems with your satellite TV installations. The
main problem is the power of the sun.
Satellite TV cable that is exposed to the sun will,
like most things left in the sun, start to deteriorate.
Cable starting to deteriorate will start to crack on
the outer cover and feel rough to the touch. And
then the outer cover will split, exposing the inner
cable. This may not cause a problem initially, but it
will later when the rains come.
The LNB on your satellite dish is powered by your
satellite receiver. This means that there is a small
electrical current running through the cable.
Summer
Satellite
Issues
And even the non geniuses amongst us should be
able to realise that rainwater and electricity together
is not a good thing. Initially it may simply damage
the cable so much that the satellite signals cannot
flow along the cable. Or it can cause a short in the
system, which can damage the LNB or the receiver.
Over the last few weeks I have been called out to
a number of installations where the clients had
reported a loss of satellite signals. These callouts
have happened just after the recent “rainy” spell.
In most cases, the installations were over 10 years
old, and the problems could be traced back to cable
that had been exposed to the sun, and rainwater had
found its way into the cable.
There is not a lot we can do about the sun, as it does
tend to destroy most things that are left outside.
However, it is common sense that installers try to
install the cable in areas of shade to try and protect
the cable as much as possible from the sun.
In the same way, if a satellite cable has to be run
under or along the ground it should be protected as
much as possible, usually using protective tubing.
So if your satellite installation is about 10 years
old, and or you have a lot of cable that has a lot of
exposure to the sun, it may be worth checking that
cable to see if there are any cracks in the cables
outer covering.
If necessary, get the cable renewed. Otherwise, the
next time it rains you may end up with “no signal”
messages, and possibly even receiver damage.
Until next time, happy viewing.
email: [email protected]
by Jon Worby
The Sat and PC Guy
www.satandpcguy.com - our main website with information about UK TV in Spain
www.satandpcguy.com/blog - the latest satellite TV news for the Costa Blanca and Spain
telephone: 962819796 / 620130292 - www.facebook.com/satandpcguy