How to Prevent House Wiring Ground Loops
Preventing a ground loop requires understanding what a ground loop is in the first place. A ground loop is when two pieces of electronic equipment are connected to each other and have their power supplies operating from two separate paths to the ground. As a result, noise, in your video and/or audio can occur. The following steps will help you to avoid this problem. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 12 gauge ground wire
- Surge protector
- High quality audio and video cables
Instructions
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Use a larger gauge ground wire (such as 12 gauge, minimum) and ensure that you take the shortest route to the service entry section of the home or breaker panel.
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Ensure that all outlets in a home are properly grounded, and that they are using a proper gauge of ground wire. Use a surge protector with video noise suppressors such as Panamax or Monster Power centers.
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Use high quality audio and video cables. Make sure that they are rated for in-wall use. Avoid coming within 30 inches of high voltage cables when running audio or video cables. Avoid running close to electronically noisy equipment, such as AC units and florescent lamps. When running video or audio over distances, using shielded cable with built-in grounds, or running a separate ground cable, is well worth the money and effort for eliminating the possibility of ground loops.
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Purchase displays of higher quality to be sure that they have better filters for preventing ground loop noise. If displays are going to be sharing sources, be sure to keep them on the same phase of the same circuit breaker panel.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep in mind that there are a lot of solutions for distributing audio and video using ethernet; like your home network. One such company that produces these products is NetStreams. Because the audio and video is distributed like the Internet (or as data), your system will become immune to ground loops. This is extremely handy when it is impossible for two pieces of equipment to be hooked up to the same point of ground.
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Comments
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ElectricianDave
Oct 20, 2008
Very nice article. May I suggest that the integrity of the main ground system be inspected as well. I have found a lot of electrical services that have inadequate or faulty ground devices and bonding jumper cables. The main electrical panel grounding system may include bonded grounding methods such as foundation, ground rod(s), cold water pipes and in some locations a gas pipe bond as well. It would be best to have a qualified electrician inspect these in accordance with your locally enforced electrical codes. Once the grounded bonding methods are in place then the entire system will provide your highest level of protection for your electrical equipment and components. -
ElectricianDave
Oct 20, 2008
Very nice article. May I suggest that the integrity of the main ground system be inspected as well. I have found a lot of electrical services that have inadequate or faulty ground devices and bonding jumper cables. The main electrical panel grounding system may include bonded grounding methods such as foundation, ground rod(s), cold water pipes and in some locations a gas pipe bond as well. It would be best to have a qualified electrician inspect these in accordance with your locally enforced electrical codes. Once the grounded bonding methods are in place then the entire system will provide your highest level of protection for your electrical equipment and components.
