Ground Loop Question


Just curious about this....

What exactly is a ground loop and why does it affect the stereo like it does? What exactly is happening to cause this? I'm a little rusty on electrical but i know the basics and terms. I would assume a ground loop is actually where a ground gets fed back into itself and maybe oscilates and causes the hum? or am i totally reaching here?

My buddy's ol man has a pretty decent mid-level system that is PLAGUED by this Hum. He has a MONSTER 3600 stage 3 power filter and the hum is still there.

Better yet, when he turns on the lights the hum gets WAY worse. (not a dimmer switch either) Normally i would attribute this to bad power, but shouldnt the stage 3 filter be clearing this? Does this sound like it could be a ground loop?

What are some common causes of ground loops and some common fixes?
slappy

Showing 1 response by jeffreybehr

I have a similar problem, with audio humming caused by several-different devices IF the 3-wire powercords are plugged into 3-wire outlets. My solution is as above--float the ground pin with some kind of cheater plug. While you're doing this, try to orient the remaining 2 wires to achieve the lowest voltage (measured to a grounded outlet centerscrew) on the chassis (with all signal cables disconnected). I've seen up to c. 60vac on a chassis when the remaining 2 sprongs are oriented the wrong way.

BTW, HUM from ground loops is caused by 60Hz AC-power current flowing between components thru the SIGNAL cables and somehow modulating that hum into the signal-carrying circuits. Understand that floating the 'green-ground' pin leaves some of that voltage previously drawn to some ground still on the chassis.
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