Re: Grounding issues
Chaos said:
The purpose of a ground is to provide a current return path. Multiple grounds.................
ground loop: In an electrical system, an unwanted current that flows in a conductor connecting two points that are nominally at the same potential
Yes, I'm well aware of the definitions, however in this case we are talking about one source, and not multiple sources as in recording or PA work.
As the ground is literally connected to one source, and the return lines (barrowing from AC power terminology) are all from the *same* source, unlike multiple pieces of equipment with their ground sides coupled into each other.
Since it's all from the same source (call it point of reference if you wish), any paths of differing resistances would be summed in parallel ... And the lowest resistance would therefore predominate and render the other paths null and void ... completing the connection as though the others did not exist.
Also, any resistance would not be of a high enough impedance to be attractive to RFI/EMI by itself (translation, if the rest of the circuit doesn't get contaminated with it, it won't by itself).
Star grounding is very useful in PA and in guitar racks, however in guitar it has no real application as far as the wiring in the instrument itself ... why?
Again, you are dealing with one source, and one ground potential only ...
That is not what happens in separate electrical mains (well it's supposed to happen that way), or in some cases separate pieces of gear.
Although there is little chance that the difference between grounds in a guitar control cavity will cause interference, there is no reason to add something ..............
Well, this I agreed with, however I still thought I throw in other options for HB users without shielded cavities, metal knobs, and what not ... where you would have to ground the pot or switch casing (and I did include the ring terminal idea, but if you don't have one and want to get it working ... solder time). The *potential* is so far out odd wise it really doesn't become a practical concern, however again, I agree with streamlining things ... look if it works for you great.
Optimally, an R/F shielded control cavity would be isolated from all components connected to the signal ground but this is impractical since many grounded components are mounted outside of the R/F shield.
Yes, ideally it would be earth ground rather than chassis, or audio common, of course here it is audio common ... connections to the other two (from that point) are dependent at and in the connecting equipment. Still, something inside a shield, that's connected to that shield, when that shield is grounded (we can only *assume* that the shield does in fact go to ground at the amp input) has no chance what so ever of carrying any voltage as it will be sent to ground via the lowest resistance route in a multipathed single sourced array.
Bottom line… there is no reason to clean, grind, drill or solder a pot if it is already grounded.
Well, this I agreed with to begin with, and I stated that the whole star grounding issue does makes some things easier, however for reasons just explained that whole ground loop thing doesn't hold water in this light.
Some people say their strats are quieter after doing so, okay, better soldering job/conections or the exact nature of the whole star ground thing?
Probably better soldering connections and better shielding, either way good for them. And I think that Ryan understood that I was trying to give him and others some options (as there are times that you have to solder the pot casingand a ring terminal might just get in the way), as well as an answer to his main question.
