How to Install a Ground Wire for a Phone Line

By Laurie Brown Updated September 26, 2017

Wiring a phone to a grounding system is important to not only the safety of the equipment, but more importantly the safety of the user. Should there ever be a lightening strike or electrical surge, the grounding system is designed to reroute the electrical charge safely out of the phone system and down a grounding rod that is driven into the ground, where the electrical charge is harmlessly dispersed. The grounding system for a phone is installed and connected at the network interface box on the outside of the home.

Step 1

Loosen and remove the screws holding the cover over the network interface box. Open and remove the cover. Locate the grounding clamp at the inside bottom of the network interface.

Step 2

Feed one end of the copper wire up through an access hole in the bottom of the network interface box and over to the grounding clamp.

Step 3

Slide the end of the wire under the clamp, and tighten the screw down to press the clamp against the wire and secure it in place.

Step 4

Locate an area about 1 to 2 feet away from the network interface box, and clear of the foundation of the house. Using the sledge hammer, driver the grounding rod into the ground until about 4 inches are left protruding out of the ground.

Step 5

Route grounding wire down to the rod, and cut any excess wire away. Slide the wire clamp over the wire and rod and tighten the screw down to squeeze the rod and wire together to form a tight connection.

Step 6

Replace the network interface cover back over the box, and insert the screws into each hole and tighten them down.

Things You Will Need

Screwdriver
5 feet of 8 gauge solid copper wire
Sledge hammer
Leather gloves
5 foot copper grounding rod
Wire cutters
Wire clamp

Warning

Wear leather gloves when using the sledge hammer to protect your hands and fingers from any accidental strikes from the hammer that could cause serious injury.

References

Resources

Home Phone Wiring: Your Connection Point: The Network Interface Device (NID)

About the Author

Laurie Brown has worked as a high school English teacher for the last several years and loves writing. She enjoys helping her students develop a love and appreciation for writing, reading, and literature. Laurie has a degree in education with a major in English. Currently she is a writer for eHow.