ITWissen.info - Tech know how online

ground loop

Ground loops are caused by potential differences across which equalizing currents flow. The phenomenon is better described by the term ground loop, since ground loops are ground potential equalizations.

Ground loops occur when equipment is not grounded in a star configuration at one ground point, but at several different ground points. Ground loops are loop-shaped, self-contained earth connections through which current flows. The current flow is caused by the voltage difference in the ground potential and flows through ground connections in the circuit, for example through the shielding of a coaxial cable, where the hum signal is directly superimposed on the useful signal of the inner conductor. This superposition of useful and hum signal leads to a disturbing mains hum in the audio or video signal.

Ground loops can be avoided by a star-shaped wiring of the protective conductors, which are all connected to the same equipotential bonding bar.

Informations:
Englisch: ground loop
Updated at: 07.11.2008
#Words: 148
Links: ground, loop, configuration (CFG), current, voltage
Translations: DE
Sharing:    

All rights reserved DATACOM Buchverlag GmbH © 2024