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units without an actual ground pin on the unit AC outlet...

There seem to be many placebos in many things in life.  In audio gear, there seems to be many units that show an outlet to connect a power cord to, but with simply the two AC pins with no ground pin.  Are these manufactures trying to just make those high-end cords useable, or at they thumbing their nose at consumer intelligence?  Or is this another thing that Nixon started? 


whatjd

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,861 posts
 
Hi,

With IEC connectors, you can still use 3 pin cables.

It's entirely legal, and a good idea if the device is double shielded, and it has an added benefit of not causing a ground loop.

The ground pin is a safety ground, not a signal ground. It is designed to carry enough current to allow the fuse to trip in case of a short to the outside case.

My wooden cased subwoofer for instance has no ground pin.

Best,

E
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