Ground loops are a common problem in many experimental setups. A ground loop is an un-
wanted closed loop of cables in the setup, most often through the ground system. Those ground loops are often hard to find and debug. A Ground Loop Detector document describes how to build and test a simple system to detect ground loops in experimental setups. The two circuits used are from article “Simple system for locating ground loops” by P. M. Bellan. The ideas used on those articles are used in commercial product Loop Slooth. The idea in those circuits is to induce the test signal (100 kHz) into the ground system and then detect the amplitude of that signal in different parts of the setup with help of Rogowski coil based detector circuit. The basic idea in this circuit looks very promising. I have not yet tested the presented circuits, but at some laboratory tests the basic idea behind this circuit seems to work.
13 Comments
Serragordhu says:
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.,
Cortavet says:
Finally, someone who says it like it is! Thanks, keep doing what you are doing.
Shirl Naegle says:
A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my blog. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Well done!
Nicki Saberi says:
Don’t know if I agree with everything in this article, but nonetheless, thank you for your insight. When I have time, I will post some more of my thoughts.
Computer Service jacksonville says:
I wound up on this website a little while ago and I really can’t get enough! Please keep writing!
Glady Hanly says:
there are some great points in this article now to do more research
Mitchell Devino says:
This is one awesome post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Danial Eversmann says:
It’s hard to find knowledgeable folks on this topic, however you sound like you realize what you’re speaking about! Thanks
Tu Robers says:
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just could not come across. What a perfect web-site.
Inger Bicket says:
Really useful, several thanks for posting that.
cemeng says:
Build a Ground Loop Detector Tomi Engdahl’s ePanorama blog Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Ground Loop Tutorial « Tomi Engdahl’s ePanorama blog says:
[...] Loop Slooth, a company that makes ground loop measurement tools (use the same idea I described at Build a Ground Loop Detector [...]
Johnf832 says:
Though it is true I enjoy your writing style, I don’t agree with your main point of view about this one. I do delight in your website nevertheless.