| Author |
Message |
Good Music
Guest
|
 Posted:
Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:52 am Post subject:
Ground question |
|
|
I have a piece of audio electronics equipment (an AM radio transmitter kit)
which I wish to connect to "earth ground". My house has no metal pipes to
connect to, but I read that the AC power electric fusebox is strapped to a
bare copper wire leading to a metal stake in the earth.
Diagrams appear to show that the 3rd prong of AC outlets are connected to a
green-colored wire which is also connected to earth ground. So can I just
connect the 3rd prong of an AC power cord directly to the circuitboard
ground of the AM transmitter circuit? (the circuit is powered by a DC power
adapter).
Thanks.
- Goodmusic
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Robert Baer
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject:
Re: Ground question |
|
|
Good Music wrote:
| Quote: |
I have a piece of audio electronics equipment (an AM radio transmitter kit)
which I wish to connect to "earth ground". My house has no metal pipes to
connect to, but I read that the AC power electric fusebox is strapped to a
bare copper wire leading to a metal stake in the earth.
Diagrams appear to show that the 3rd prong of AC outlets are connected to a
green-colored wire which is also connected to earth ground. So can I just
connect the 3rd prong of an AC power cord directly to the circuitboard
ground of the AM transmitter circuit? (the circuit is powered by a DC power
adapter).
Thanks.
- Goodmusic
|
Incorrect. Look carefully and (in almost all cases) you will not be
able to find that fusebox ground wire that you mention.
The third wire is generally an earth-ish ground but cannot be relied
100% as being a true earth ground.
And you do not really need a true earth ground for a transmitter or
receiver.
At worst, what could be used is a "counterpoise", which can be
implimented by a large grid-like array resting on the ground or even
buried in the ground.
In your case, you most likely do not need that.
You probably are not using a large vertical transmitting mast, where a
horizontal ground (array) becomes a requirement at high powers.
Look up antenna info in ARRL handbook or other ham references. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Karl Uppiano
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:47 am Post subject:
Re: Ground question |
|
|
| Quote: | Incorrect. Look carefully and (in almost all cases) you will not be
able to find that fusebox ground wire that you mention.
|
In my area, electrical code requires the electrical panel to be electrically
bonded to a ground rod. My panel is connected to two 3' rods driven into the
ground below the service entrance. Still, the safety ground from the
electrical outlets have too much impedance to provide a good RF ground for
transmitting AM radio. It's not what they were designed for.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Memberlist
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in