splitting ground planes

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Bibio

Bibio

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Joined 2009
#1
would splitting the ground plane on a PCB into 3 sections that are still commonly connected be a bad idea.

my idea is to split (shield) the power from the main board so there is no direct (line of sight connection) and at the same time split the input and output audio sections as well. all three planes are still connected at the top of the board i'm just making it so there is no direct connection so each section has to travel to the common ground but not interfere with each other.
 
#3
its not included on the schematic, i have used 'tRestrict' in eagle to do the splitting.

Psychosis_test_brd.png
 
#5
i dont know how i would show it on a schematic as all the ground points are all just tied to the ground. the grounds are not connected they are all separate on the schematic as and where needed. the common is the connection between the bridge rectifiers '+ com -'

Psychosis_test_sch.png
 
#8
there are only 2 1000u coupling caps right at the top of the board. the regulation is RJM's x-reg (with kind permission). the bridge rectifiers are dip4 50v 1.5a and on board.

i'm trying to accomplish making sure that each section does not interfere with each other and hopefully give a cleaner ground plane for each section.
 
#11
Bibio said:
here ya go.
Click to expand...

The voltage regulator circuit will likely couple noise to the rails with this layout,
since the op amp and resistors won't have a quiet ground. I'd separate the rectifiers
and their DC smoothing capacitors into a power plane that is separate from all other grounds.

When that is done, all the regulator and audio grounds can then share the same ground plane.
This audio ground plane should connect to the power plane at a point brought out as a stub
from midway between the input electrolytics' ground leads. Also keep each rectifier and
filter capacitor pair close together.
 
#14
Bibio said:
something like this, green line is split box, blue line is stub.
Click to expand...

That's more like it, and flip the rectifier filter caps so the grounds are nearer the audio circuit.
Keep both of the rectifier grounds on the power plane, that's important.

In fact, I'd consider swapping the relative positions of the rectifier and filter capacitor,
so the capacitor grounds are next to the stub.
 
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#20
i had a good look at that but i'm little confused.

the ground planes look like they are for each stage. the input is on 0v which to me says that it relies on the input source ground which is no bad thing as it removed the duty on the rest of the circuit except that if the input source has a bad output grounding scheme (mostly very unlikely) then so does the input. i like this idea.

the input voltage ground is tied into what looks like a relay to feed the output ground to COM at switch on for 'anti rush in/thump control'.
 
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