question on ground/earth diodes

Rudy · 10th May 2003, 01:41 AM

Hi

Last night i was searching for how most off the peoples solve grounding problems, know i know how it is done, thats not the problem, but the thing i noticed is that the diodes for seperating the ground of the circuit and the earth connention of the chassis ( or outlet offcourse ) are 200V 35A types !!

The 200V i can understand, but the 35A

is there a special reason for that, and if sow would you be sow kind to explain it to me

Greetz Rudy

Steve Eddy · 10th May 2003, 03:12 AM

The reason for using the diodes (as opposed to simply lifting the ground from the chassis or using an RC network, etc.) is to allow an extra margin of safety.

If the hot lead of the AC line happens to contact the signal ground, the diodes would kick in and provide a low impedance path to the chassis, which if the chassis is safety grounded, a low impedance path back to the service panel.

The high current rating would allow sufficient current to flow to trip the circuit breaker without the diode blowing up and becoming an open circuit in which case you're back to square one.

se

10th May 2003, 01:41 AM	#1
Rudy diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belgium	question on ground/earth diodes Hi Last night i was searching for how most off the peoples solve grounding problems, know i know how it is done, thats not the problem, but the thing i noticed is that the diodes for seperating the ground of the circuit and the earth connention of the chassis ( or outlet offcourse ) are 200V 35A types !! The 200V i can understand, but the 35A is there a special reason for that, and if sow would you be sow kind to explain it to me Greetz Rudy

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Basic ground and earth questions	dublin78	Class D	2	28th March 2007 06:28 AM
chassis ground vs. earth ground	avid	Chip Amps	4	10th November 2006 12:56 PM
ground and earth	senderj	Tubes / Valves	17	10th April 2006 04:47 AM
signal ground and earth ground	ttray321	Tubes / Valves	9	3rd May 2005 03:14 AM
Earth/Ground Loops	JohnClark	Tubes / Valves	2	14th November 2001 12:49 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

10th May 2003, 03:12 AM	#2
Steve Eddy diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA	The reason for using the diodes (as opposed to simply lifting the ground from the chassis or using an RC network, etc.) is to allow an extra margin of safety. If the hot lead of the AC line happens to contact the signal ground, the diodes would kick in and provide a low impedance path to the chassis, which if the chassis is safety grounded, a low impedance path back to the service panel. The high current rating would allow sufficient current to flow to trip the circuit breaker without the diode blowing up and becoming an open circuit in which case you're back to square one. se

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)