Ground loops Why grounding is so important ?DefinitionGround loops :(Introduction)where ground loops affect ?Ground loops are created by :Solutions

Why grounding is so important ? Earthing of electrical systems is required for a number of reasons, principally to ensure the safety of people near the system and to prevent damage to the system itself in the event of a fault. The function of the protective conductor, or earth, is to provide a low resistance path for fault current so that the circuit protective devices operate rapidly to disconnect the supply.

Definition  In an electrical system, a ground loop usually refers to a current, almost always unwanted, in a conductor connecting two points that are supposed to be at the same potential, often ground, but are actually at different potentials. Ground loops created by improperly designed or improperly installed equipment are a major cause of noise and interference in audio and video systems. They can also create an electric shock hazard, since ostensibly "grounded" parts of the equipment, which are often accessible to users, are not at ground potential.

Ground loops : (Introduction) Any type of unwanted or unexpected current flowing through a ground line is referred to as a “ground loop”. Noise in the ground lines is also referred to as a ground loop problem. The basic concept of the ground loop is shown in the following illustration.

Ground loops : (Introduction) If the two ends of a wire are earth-grounded at different locations, the voltage difference between the two “ground” points can drive significant currents (often several amps) through the wire. Consider the wire to be part of a loop which contains a voltage source that represents the difference in potential between the two ground points, and you have the classical “ground loop”.

where ground loops affect ? All types of equipment are susceptible to ground loops: multimedia Medical Industrial data processing.  Ground loops can cause data errors, component failure, lock-ups, and even safety hazards.

Ground loops are created by : 1.Potential difference between two or more points of ground plane to which external grounds are connected.

Ground loops are created by : 2. Inductive coupling :

Ground loops are created by : 2. Inductive coupling :

Ground loops are created by : 3. Capacitive coupling :

Ground loops are created by : 4. Common - mode - noise : 4. Common - mode - noise : Common mode noise is electrical interference on the two signal lines that causes both lines to change in potential relative to ground. Common mode noise most often results when the ground potential between the measuring instrument and the device being measured are different. The difference in grounds results in a ground loop, a current flowing through ground and the low lead. Once this current appears in the low lead wire it will cause a voltage because the wire has some resistance. The longer the lead, the more lead resistance and the greater the voltage error.  TIP:  TIP: To reduce common mode noise, use a guarded voltmeter. Tie the guard to the low side of the device being measured. This will shunt any ground loop currents away from the high and low measurement wires.

Ground loops are created by : 4. Common - mode - noise :

SOLUTIONS :  Single point grounding (not safe).  Use of differential amplifier.

Differential amp by using an op amp

Name : mohammad abdullatif assa al damaty ID :