Electrician's advice wanted: safely lifting ground


Hi all,

I've got a ground loop in my system between the preamp and multiple amps. The cheater plug experiment on the amp power cords not only solves the hum but also lowers the noise floor a bit more. So I would like to do this correctly in a safer, more permanent way.

Bringing all of the power cords in the system to one socket helped also but isn't as quiet as with the grounds lifted.

Can I change the circuit breaker to a GFIC and then tie ground to neutral at the wall socket so that there are no adapters involved? If this isn't the way to go please advise on what is. Even if I don't do this myself I'd like to know so that I can talk with an electrician.

Thanks
dan_ed

Showing 2 responses by kijanki

Dan_ed - If device was designed with grounded chassis removing this ground creates danger of high voltage appearing on the metal and killing somebody. Yes, a lot of things would have to go wrong but that's how accidents happen. I'm not sure if GFCI can legally replace ground but at least gives you some protection. Imagine that hot 110V wire got loose and touches case inside while person places hand on the case touching another piece of equipment that is grounded. Current will flow thru the body but won't return to GFCI Neutral. GFCI will "see" different currents coming out and returning and will switch off.
"Consequently, if your house is properly wired the grounding plug has virtually no benefit."

I would be very careful with statements like that. Imagine hot wire inside of the box getting loose and touching ungrounded chassis. In order to get rid of grounding plug device has to be designed (and tested) differently. Your statement suggests that one, being sure house is wired properly, can safely use cheater plug.