Wiring The Actuator
The direct burial cable’s actuator line is comprised of five stranded wires. Two
14 or 16 gauge stranded wires are used to power the motor and three color-
coded 22 gauge shielded wires connect to the sensor. These actuator wires
should be connected to the appropriate terminals on the back of the receiver
(or a separate actuator power supply).
Like the servo motor wires, the three shielded motor sensor wires also provide
power, pulse, and ground. The vast majority of actuator motors do not require
power to be hooked to the sensor. Look inside the actuator housing. If there
are only two wires connected to the sensor, then hook up pulse and ground to
their respective terminals. IF there are three wires connected to the sensor,
and pulse and ground interchangeably to the other two sensor wires.
The two large stranded wires connect to the large wire terminals at the
actuator motor and to the motor wire “1” and “2” terminals on the back of the
receiver or power supply. Now try to move the dish to the east or west; if the
dish moves in the direction opposite to the on intended, reverse the wires
connected to the motor wire “1” and “2” terminals.
Some satellite receivers have an external power supply that puts the large
transformer outside of the receiver chassis. This reduces the receiver’s size as
well as its operating temperature. The power supply is actually a large
transformer that turns 110 or 220 volts a.c. into 24 to 36 volts d.c. to power the
actuator’s d.c. motor.
Grounding The System
If your home’s a.c. electrical ground is close to the dish, use a No. 10 AWG or
larger solid copper ground wire to connect it to the pipe supporting the antenna.
If your dish is physically removed from your dish is physically removed from
your home, pound in a separate grounding rod and use a No. 10 AWG or
larger solid copper ground wire to connect the pole to it. You should also install
an antenna discharge unit or ground block, a passive electrical device that
connects in-line between your outdoor electronics and the indoor satellite
receiver. To work properly, the ground block should be connected to a ground
rod or to the a.c. ground of the house. For added protection prior to a lightning
storm – or whenever your system is left unattended and unused for long
periods of time – you should first unplug the satellite receiver from the a.c. wall
outlet and then disconnect the incoming coaxial cable(s) from the IF input of
the receiver. After the storm has passed, reconnect the coaxial cable to the
