2. tech-talk
  3. 1169464733

earth lift resistors

I have previously been advised to use 100R as earth lift resistors, and have been using wirewound cerramic cased ones rates at 3W with success.

Now an engineer proposes to install a l meg (one meg) 'earth leak' resistor in my valve amp. He says he will bypass this with a 0.1mf capacitor.

Can anyone advise:

i) whether the l meg is as safe as the 100R?
ii) what the purpose of the 0.1uF bypass is and whether it increases safety?
iii) what wattage rating and type of resistor should be used in a valve amp, assuming that 1 meg IS appropriate?
eguth

Showing 2 responses by aball

aball
2,018 posts
 
I agree with your engineer (but then, I am one too). A 1Meg is a much smarter choice than a 100 since it will cut down on chassis currents rather significantly. I am assuming your amp has chassis ground.

The small cap would be there to filter out noise from the power rail. Your amp probably already has a few of them here and there so one more can't hurt.

You definately don't need a high power rating. 3W would be way overkill - 0.5W is plenty. However for the cap, make sure its voltage rating is twice your rail voltage.

Arthur
aball
2,018 posts
 
A high resistance is infinitely lower resistance than no earth at all! Electrons know that very well. Glad the info was helpful to you.

Arthur
More to discover