General Asylum

Posted by Sean (A) on January 10, 2004 at 15:00:19

In Reply to: Re: Installing a dedicated AC line....? posted by hybwolf on January 10, 2004 at 00:26:42:

"What you suggested is not valid on any part of an ac system. Once again, re-read the above. Connecting the ground in an un-safe, code violating manner hoping to achieve a lower noise floor is quite the compromise for ones home and saftey. Get a line conditioner."

Your lack of understanding of how a line conditioner works is obvious. The mass majority of line conditioners don't "filter" the ground, they simply shunt the filtered noise to it. If the ground was filtered, such a circuit would be current limited and could jeopardize safety if the circuit were to open up due to a spike or surge.

As such, noise that is riding the ground can travel back up the ground wire to your system. That is why i suggested connecting the ground to the point that presents the lowest impedance / shortest path to ground. If any signal is present at the point of connection, it is already so close to Earth that it would choose that path.

"Ac is delivered as 1 phase in a residence. (1) 240v phase, 2 legs both fused, 1 neutral center tapped. It's not two phases. Go look at the nameplate rating of your refrigerator motor, It is stamped single phase 120 volt. Now go look at a 240volt motor such as a air conditioning compressor. It is stamped single phase 240v."

You are correct and i was wrong on that count. Thank you for pointing this out and correcting me. I apologize and stand corrected.

"I may not post often on these boards but have been reading the posts for 3 years or so. And through out that time I have chimed in on only a few occasions when someone such as yourself dispenses an unsafe suggestion on electrical installations. Over that same period of time I have had numerous emails from inmates whom had questions pertaining to electrical. All of whom were happy with the advice I had given.
Screw it,I will no longer post anything when someone such as youself suggest an un-safe install, nor will I give any advice to anyone asking. It's not my house nor family that is placed at risk."

Taking such an approach is understandable, but is not beneficial to audiophiles and / or this type of forum as a whole. We learn and grow by sharing various points of view. Some of these points of view are based on fact, some on experience and some on myth. Doing what you did i.e. standing your ground helped to clarify some specific issues ( AC residential is single phase ) that i mistakenly posted. Hopefully, the effort that you've put into this thread and that specific response taught some folks along the way.

As far as our thoughts go on grounding, we will have to agree to disagree. I would suggest that those that are interested in such subjects do their own homework, check with local codes and consult with industry professionals before attempting any type of electrical installation on their own.

As far as that one specific grounding issue goes, the "world's foremost experts" on the subjects are considered to be Polyphaser. I've provided a link to their website below for those that want to dig into such things on their own. You will find TONS of references to Polyphaser anytime you read an article pertaining to commercial or amateur communications antenna installations. This has to do with the fact that large antenna arrays are an easy target for a lightning strike. As such, proper grounding is a must for both safety and economical reasons. Sean
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• The grounding experts   (Open in New Window)