using a triac on the grounding conductor

[danickstr]

would it be a bad idea to use a , say 35 amp rated diode on a grounding conductor as a means to create a ground loop resistant 15amp circuit leg?

I have thought about doing this to fix complex wiring hum issues and did not know if it would be a reliable gound path.

 

[iwire]

In my opinion you can not put anything in the ground fault path that is not found in the NEC.

 

[walkerj]

would it be a bad idea to use a , say 35 amp rated diode on a grounding conductor as a means to create a ground loop resistant 15amp circuit leg?

I have thought about doing this to fix complex wiring hum issues and did not know if it would be a reliable gound path.

OK then, where is your grounding conductor when the diode blows out during a fault?

 

[coulter]

Triac, inverse parallel diodes, or back to back zeners?

Commercial application?

carl

 

[mdshunk]

Maybe try to figure out where the current's coming from, rather than some silly (potentially unsafe) arrangement to block it?

 

[iwire]

Maybe try to figure out where the current's coming from, rather than some silly (potentially unsafe) arrangement to block it?

I was thinking along the same lines, work the problem from the other direction.

If the loop is caused by an audio or video cable break the loop in those cables not the line voltage safety ground.

 

[brian john]

I have worked on hum issues in very large establishments all it takes is perseverance, as note above find and fix the issue. Just because you resolved the hum on equipment does not mean you have resolved the NEC issue that generally is the cause of hum.

A Band-Aid fix that does not fix the problem.

 

[LarryFine]

I often find that inserting a 'ground breaker' (usually a 1:1 isolation transformer) in the offending audio/video line solves most hum and hum-bar issues.

Cable TV and powered subwoofers are the most common offenders in my experience.

 

[brian john]

Larry this solves the hum issue but does not resolve the problem which generally In MY Experience is a improper grounded neutral.

 

[danickstr]

I figured I would take a beating on this one, but wanted ideas none the less.

The usual alternative in recording studios is the ubiquitous ground lifter device sold at the supermarket.

Entire mixing rooms are peppered with these things, so I thought my creative fix would at least give the ground a fighting chance that the breaker would kick in before the silly diode/triac solution failed.

But i am open to thoughts to continue. Isolation transformer is a possibility.

 

[iwire]

But i am open to thoughts to continue. Isolation transformer is a possibility.

I suggest listing to Brian's recommendations, he has been making a living fixing these types of power quality issues for a long time.

If it's really a recording studio you could look into the balanced power supplies described in Article 647

 

[plate]

The usual alternative in recording studios is the ubiquitous ground lifter device sold at the supermarket.

I am not familiar with the ground lifter terminology, can you provide the formal name or link? Thanks

 

[kspifldorf]

Band-Aid

 

[LarryFine]

I am not familiar with the ground lifter terminology, can you provide the formal name or link? Thanks

 

[wasasparky]

Don't forget to cut off the ground strap...

 

[iwire]

I am not a 'sound guy' by any stretch but I do remember watching the roadies setting up shows and many times they had small switches on their equipment that 'lifted the ground' from audio jacks on the mix boards. Not the EGC from the supply cord.