[GreenKeys] Grounding and GFI's

Bob Camp ham at cq.nu
Sun Feb 13 14:33:54 EST 2005


Hi

That's not a bad way to go. It helps take care of the "multi point 
ground" problem that comes up as soon as you get a grounded antenna in 
the picture.

If you are lucky you will get a transformer that is actually not quite 
as loud as a model 28 going full bore. Many of the isolation 
transformers I have run in the past put out  a nice strong hum.

If you do the isolation transformer trick you still need to watch the 
safety ground(s). You can get killed by some simple mistakes otherwise.

An isolation transformer combined with a pair of *good* surge 
suppressors is probably the perfect setup. That way you protect against 
just about everything it's possible to protect against.

If you do not have things like antennas in the mix the isolation 
transformer setup lets you do an interesting trick. Normally all of the 
stuff on the isolation transformer secondary is grounded to a single 
point. If you power down and lift that point you can check it relative 
to building ground or power line neutral. When you pass that test you 
can be pretty darn sure you are isolated. Just be sure to bolt the 
ground back down after you run the test ....

	Take Care!

		Bob Camp
		KB8TQ



On Feb 13, 2005, at 2:10 PM, Don Robert House wrote:

> Thanks to the advice of Tom Kleinschmidt I use a "big ass" isolation 
> transformer in front of all my teletype and radio equipment.  You can 
> usually get a good deal on one on eBay.  Mine was left over from a 
> hospital installation.  TRIPP-LITE makes some good units as well.
>
> Don
> -- 
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Don Robert House
> P.O. Box 11
> Ringwood, IL 60072-0011
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