folkfreak OP
539 posts 10-29-2017 7:19pm
@jea48 well yes, the "safety ground" is used as a common point of reference for all the connected components, but you could just as well use a box of dirt a la Entreq or the or the special mix Verastarr are working on (http://www.monoandstereo.com/2017/10/new-verastarr-ground-box.html)
Using the term "safety ground" while technically correct to me implies that this has something to do with electrical safety where in reality all we are using the ground for is as a common reference point -- not a new idea as Naim devotees know well (http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/how-to-achieve-star-earthing)
@folkfreak ,
Not so sure about your statement the AC mains safety equipment ground is not involved in the operation of the grounding block. When I asked ozzy if he would lift the equipment ground from his SR grounding block and then listen for any differences in SQ he did so and then posted back,
Jim,
Ok, I disconnected the ground wire from the wall outlet and the music seemed to shift more to the center. Plugging it back into the wall provides a more spacious soundstage.
So the question then is why was there a difference SQ? One explanation might be with the equipment ground lifted from the SR grounding block system it is then floating above the Main System Ground of the electrical service. With it floating above ground could it then be working as an antenna? If that is the case it would/could introduce any air born RFI through all the ground wires that are connected to the grounding block back to the RCA jack signal ground contact of all the audio equipment. (What is the average length of the ground wires? Is the SR grounding block enclosure made of metal?)
Mother earth is not involved, at play, ime. Rather, jmho, the AC mains, main grounding system is though. The electrical service in our homes is a grounded AC power system. What makes it a grounded system is the service entrance neutral conductor is intentionally connected to earth. By electrical safety code the service entrance neutral conductor is also bonded, connected, to the metal enclosure of the electrical service equipment, your electrical panel. As well all safety equipment grounding conductors of branch circuits also must connect to the grounded service entrance neutral conductor.
So as you can see the safety equipment grounding conductor connected to the equipment ground contact at the wall receptacle outlet and the neutral conductor at the wall outlet are at the same ground potential. The safety equipment ground conductor is directly connected to the neutral conductor back at the electrical panel.
Jmho, it’s the reference, same ground potential, relationship, of the safety equipment ground and neutral conductor that are at play here. Not mother earth.
Just an added note. A few years ago I was participating in a discussion on the Audio Asylum forum. Just going from memory I think the subject had something to do with how mother earth improves the SQ of an audio system. Therefore some were arguing the importance of using the safety equipment ground connected to the chassis of audio equipment. Not sure who at the time first pointed out that audio equipment that is class 2 rated, (that uses doubled insulated AC power wiring), doesn’t use or need a safety equipment ground. I do remember me posting that just proves mother earth is not at play. Mother earth does not have some mystical magical power that sucks nasties from an audio system. Somewhere in the back and forth posts I mistakenly said the chassis, enclosure, of audio equipment that uses double insulated AC power wiring is floating above ground. Charles Hansen, (Manufacturer, Ayre Acoustics, Inc.), responded to my post, not true. If the chassis is allowed to float it will act as an antenna. Therefore the chassis, enclosure, of the equipment is connected to the signal ground of the equipment.
Jim
