4k Box Grounded to AC outlet

[so2344]

Installer came out and grounded a 4K box to an AC outlet. Is this necessary?

 

[DirecTVFanSince2016]

It does not matter if you connect your box to an AC or DC outlet. My HR44 and C51 (both of which aren't 4K boxes) are connected to power strips (an APC and GE power strip, respectively).
Also, have you always had that 4K box, or did you just get it as part of an upgrade?
And did you request that service call, or did the installer do that without permission?

 

[so2344]

We have had the 4k box (not Gemini) and he just installed that way.

 

[so2344]

 

[DirecTVFanSince2016]

Yeah, that’s definitely not necessary. You can connect it to a power strip and it’ll still work as it should. that’s how I’ve always connected mine.

 

[AZ.]

View attachment 165363

Kinda funny....That sure dosent mean its grounded? If you have plastic J boxes, and no grounds hooked up to it? Im sure he didnt take the receptacle out and check. Maybe standard procedure now?
It wont harm anything either way.

 

[slice1900]

If they cared that much about grounding they should have given it a three prong plug.

 

[jorgek]

Is that ground according to code?

 

[AZ.]

Is that ground according to code?

We will never know because you have no clue if the outlet is grounded....Some people did this years ago for static, and hums,(audio) but if not grounded its doing nothing.

 

[jorgek]

Actually the outlet is grounded because the white neutral wire is grounded at the breaker panel is it not?

 

[slice1900]

Actually the outlet is grounded because the white neutral wire is grounded at the breaker panel is it not?

Sorta, but not really. Since the neutral acts as a return path for circuits it isn't a true ground. Try using it as an audio ground and you'll see the problem.

I assume Directv is doing this because every other box has a coax connection which if installed according to their specs is grounded. Without coax the only way this box can get a ground is via the HDMI shield, so it will be grounded to whatever it is plugged into. So I'm not seeing what problem this is intended to address.