In a coaxial cable communications system entirely within a building, how can the shield be grounded?

In a coaxial cable communications system, grounding the shield effectively is crucial for minimizing interference and ensuring safety from electrical surges. The correct choice indicates grounding through a connection to an equipment grounding conductor, which is a standard practice in electrical installations.

The equipment grounding conductor is specifically designed to carry fault current safely back to the ground, significantly reducing the risk of electric shock and providing a path for stray electrical currents. This connection helps to stabilize the system and protect connected equipment by ensuring that any induced currents or surges can be safely dissipated.

While other options might provide some level of grounding, they do not offer the same effectiveness or compliance with electrical codes for signal integrity and safety. For example, connecting to a surge protector or a separate grounding rod might not provide a complete return path for electrical faults or could introduce additional resistance, which could compromise performance. Grounding to a metal structure may also work in some scenarios but might not be as reliable or effective as connecting directly to an equipment grounding conductor, which should be part of the overall grounding system within the building.