On 1/21/2013 3:27 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
On 1/21/2013 6:13 PM, vk3pa@vk3pa.com wrote:
> I run rf earth separated from the Power ac supply service no
> connection between the two.. de vk3pa
Not good practice in the US. Power supply ground (as opposed to
neutral) and RF earth ground should be the same. Otherwise any
lightning induced surge on one or the other will result in a voltage
difference between the the two which *will* equalize by moving current
*through* the chassis of any equipment connected to both the power
supply "safety" ground and the RF ground.
This is a recipe for significant lighting or power supply induced
damage. *Always* bond the RF ground and the power "entrance" ground
together via a path that *does not* place any equipment between the
two "grounds".
Joe is absolutely right. What VK3PA is describing is VERY unsafe, and a
recipe for disaster. It is also illegal in most parts of the world,
including VK.
There are at least three critical reasons for bonding everything
together. First is lightning safety, as Joe has described. Second is
protection of humans from electrical shock in the event of equipment
failures -- a solidly connected ground (earth) is required to blow
fuses/breakers. Third, proper bonding minimizes hum and buzz problems
when equipment is interconnected.
73, Jim K9YC
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