Ground loop (electricity)

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In an electrical system, ground loop refers to an unwanted current in a conductor connecting two points that are supposed to be at the same potential, that is, ground, but are actually at different potentials. Ground loops can be detrimental to the intended operation of the electrical system.

For example, the electrical potential at different points on the surface of the Earth can vary by hundreds of volts, primarily from the influence of the solar wind. (Such an occurrence can be hazardous, for example, to personnel working on long, grounded conductors such as metallic telecommunications cable pairs.)

A ground loop can also exist in a floating ground system, that is, one not connected to an Earth ground, if the conductors that constitute the ground system have a relatively high resistance, or have, flowing through them, high currents that produce a significant voltage (I·R) drop.

Audio wiring is particularly susceptible to ground loops. If two pieces of audio equipment are plugged into different power outlets, there will often be a difference in their respective ground potentials. If a signal is passed from one to the other via an unbalanced connection, this potential difference causes a spurious current to flow through the cables, creating an audible buzz at the AC mains frequency (50 or 60 Hz) and the harmonics thereof (120 Hz, 240 Hz, and so on). Sometimes, performers remove the grounding pin from the electrical wiring to avoid ground loops, however, this creates an electrocution risk; the correct solution is to use isolation transformers, opto-isolators or baluns to avoid a direct electrical connection between the different grounds.

Contrast with ground current.

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