Separate ground for dedicated line


I would like to install a dedicated line or 2 with a separate ground. Would installing a ground rod in my crawl space and running two ground wires from the outlet (1 to the rod and the other to the main breaker box) be acceptable in terms of tying the grounds together? I am not certain where the main ground is located since the power feed to the house is buried with no exposed cables.
I need to do something as the stereo is on a noisy 14 guage lighting circuit. Thanks.
-Stephen
rphsvc

Showing 1 response by dan_in_san_jose

Stephen (Rphsvc), I think you have all the advice you need above, but may I point you all to a recent post for some related details: impedance mismatched ?
And the reference: Video & Audio: Power, Ground, EMI, Noise in Cables

Glen, would you comment on Joeb's question of adding a ground when there wasn't one and its installation and code implications? Or point to a post of yours? (perhaps I didn't see it...)

And as per:
04-14-03: Subaruguru
Yes, except that you ALWAYS want to isolate the RF-noisy digital components from the low-level analogue (CDP, phono pre, tuner, etc.).
That is why I also use EMI/RF filters on all my outlets.

IMO, Redwoodgarden, if you got 'em, use 'em! But I might add that using isolated ground outlets might help by bringing all the power grounds back to the original panel ground in a star configuration (read Glen's and other's excellent posts). At least as far as the power ground is isolated from the equipment grounds locally. The equipment grounds will be star grounded at the common 3rd prong equipment ground. This also works well when using conduit. Use conduit and 4 wires for best results. (I used it for a Manhattan studio in an industrial area). This is quite safe and legal as long as all grounds end up together (ref. Glen) and there is little or no ground current. There should *never* be ground current (over 10 milliamps) unless there is a problem which is why I use GFIs to alert me to the presence of a difference in the return current on the neutral vs. the ground. Home GFIs trip at 5mA.