Low voltage utilities (like cable, security, and phone) ground their systems to the Home's electrical system ground.  While the low voltage electrical components of these systems are NOT typically inspected according to most Standards of Practice, I do like to verify location and appropriateness of the grounding of these systems.  The picture below shows the location of the phone company ground installed at a water pipe in the basement----a very typical location.  Other locations might be at the meter base outside the home or at the metal conduit of the incoming electrical service to the home. Sometimes these systems are improperly "grounded" to pipes and/or ground rods that are independent of the house grounding system.  All electrical systems on the property have to be properly connected to the house electrical grounding system.  While at first glance this installation looked OK----I later discovered that the pipe was merely being "stored" and was not actually connected to the house plumbing at all.  Sometimes, as an inspector, it is hard not to burst into a "chuckle."

Charles Buell

 www.buellinspections.com