- Each duplex electrical socket in a home is connected to two wires. One side of the line carries a positive charge, and the other side of the line carries a negative charge. The negative charge is connected to a verified electrical ground source in order to prevent accidental injury to homeowners when plugging or unplugging an electrical device.
- The satellite television system, including cables and satellite dish, are also grounded to the home's electrical ground source. Grounding is required by local and national electrical code. A properly grounded system will discharge static electricity to the home's ground source, providing safety for the homeowner.
- If the polarity in a duplex receptacle is accidentally reversed, when the satellite receiver is connected to the grounded satellite cable, both a positive and a negative electrical charge will be channeled into the metal case of the satellite receiver.
- In the best case scenario, this reversed polarity could simply trip the home's circuit breaker and open the circuit, preventing any damage to equipment or injury to personnel. In the worst case scenario, the homeowner could be injured by electrical shock. The duplex receptacle could be damaged, or the satellite receiver destroyed by the high energy discharge. For these reasons, when a satellite television system is installed, the installer should verify the polarity in each duplex receptacle before plugging in the equipment.
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