Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Cable Asylum

RE: Cable grounding

76.79.86.51

In Reply to: RE: Cable grounding posted by mbrierley on April 03, 2023 at 06:33:27

If any equipment in your system has a grounded AC plug, then that ground pin must be connected to the receptacle ground. The shield is optional.
Also unless the shield is heavy wire braid, you can't use that as an AC power electrical ground. The ground wire must be the same equivalent gauge as the other two wires. On factory made shielded power cords, there are three insulated wires with the addition of a shield wire. Could braid or foil with a drain wire. The shield is usually tied to the ground wire at both ends. And this double ground wire does not create a ground loop in a six foot power cord.
Are you using cable listed by UL (in USA) or your country's electrical product safety organization? I hope so because using cable stock not rated for primary AC power is a fire and safety hazard.

Edits: 04/03/23 04/03/23 04/03/23

Follow Ups:

RE: Cable grounding - mbrierley 09:12:47 04/03/23 (3)
@ Gusser- maybe slight misunderstanding. The cables have Live, Neutral, Earth AND drain. The drain wire is very fine litz currently connected to ground at the wall socket end without issue.

A have just built a new cable with Live, Neutral & Earth and a fine tinned braided shield. I have connected this shield to the ground wire again at the socket end.

Just want to make sure all is ok with this config before I plug anything in!
- RE: Cable grounding - jea48 19:02:50 04/05/23 (0)
  mbrierley said:
  " have just built a new cable with Live, Neutral & Earth and a fine tinned braided shield. I have connected this shield to the ground wire again at the socket end."
  
  My response:
  By socket I assume you mean at the male plug end. That is the normal end where the shield is connected.
  
  Because you are dealing with a grounded power cord if the shield drain wire was connected at both ends it would be in parallel with the EGC, (Equipment Grounding Conductor). If you didn't have a ground loop hum to begin with adding the parallel conductor would not cause a ground loop hum either.
  
  Why you would not want to connect the small drain wire at both ends is because in the event of a ground fault event, (Hot conductor to chassis/metal enclosure), the small drain wire more than likely would not handle the ground fault current, even though it is in parallel with the larger gauge EGC.
  
  .
- RE: Cable grounding - gusser 09:20:21 04/03/23 (1)
  OK, that seems OK.
  Just be careful with primary AC power. Use approved cable and connectors or if connectors are not approved, the quality should match approved connectors.
  As for the wire or cable, if not approved for AC power, I would not use it.
  
  Edits: 04/03/23
  - RE: Cable grounding - mbrierley 09:27:52 04/03/23 (0)
    All CE certified. All good. Cheers Gusser

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: