FINAL UPDATE:
I did it and it works.
For about $87.00 USD I bought all the materials and put it together.
A small 6 x 6 inch wooden box.
A package of two 6 x 6 copper plates
A coil of bare copper wire.
A package of four banana plug binding posts.
A male, all copper, NEMA 5-15 amp male plug.
A coil of shielded, tinned-copper wire.
A coil of copper tape.
A pack of four banana plugs.
A package of Hawaiian Charcoal Salt.
Things added that I didn't buy: Tree charcoal, and large crystal rock salt for use in making ice cream.
I plated the bottom and all four side walls of the box in copper plates. I used a "U" shaped copper plate and attached it to the main banana biding post. Then attached a line of bare copper to that same binding post and attached it to the bottom copper plate. The lid is where I attached the remaining banana plug biding posts. Each lid post has a line of bare copper wire that is attached to the bottom copper plate. I then wrapped some copper tape around all three lid binding posts. I filled the box with a mixture of tree charcoal, Hawaiian charcoal salt, rock salt, copper filings, and some local dirt.
Then I made a ground plug using the shielded tinned-copper wire to attach to the ground spike on the NEMA plug. I taped off the positive/negative posts inside with electric tape. On the other end, I added a banana plug.
I used a voltmeter and tested to make sure each post conducted all the way to the ground cable.
Finally, I connected the three ground spades and then plugged the ground cable to the wall socket.
I also tested with the voltmeter to determine it was working and was conducting signal. Everything worked.
As for sound quality, I am going to let it break in for a week or so before I determine if it alters the sound in anyway.
DIY Active Ground Box
I recently received a custom cable that has three loop-ground spades that are linked to the cable's shield. The cable was originally designed for phonograph use, but my customized version is being used in a digital to analog function. The manufacturer left the loop-spades in. The manufacturer said I could just use electric tape to "cap them off." The ground cables are not 100% necessary in this application. However, they are an exposed conductor. I know that I can enhance their performance by treating them as a floating shield by using an active ground.
I was thinking it would be cheaper and more practical to make my own. Does anyone have experience doing this? If so, can you share your design ideas?
The concept I have seen and want to build on, is making a wooden box that is coated internally with copper plates. Then use an IEC C14 socket to attach the ground lead to the copper plates via a solid copper cable. Then create a simple plug using a NEMA 1-15 connector where only the ground lead is connected.
Then insert banana plug sockets that also attach to the copper plates via a copper cable. Then connect the spades to the banana plug outlets.
Once this contraption is plugged into the wall socket, it should effectively attach to the house's ground.
Thoughts?
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I believe you don't need a box if you are connecting the signal grounds to an outlet ground. If you are using a box by itself to dissipate EMI then make an antenna in a V shape inside the box with a simple banana plug. I fill my boxes with quartz crystals, Rochelle salts, and tourmaline. I use wooden boxes and also have purchased some cylindrical cardboard tubes for the passive devices. So I use both methods and for the outlet I made a one wire plug for the ground only and a banana jack sticking out the back to make connections from the signal grounds to the plug. I also use the Ground Master for power grounds onto the Puritan and separate ground rod. I may make a parallel run with another groundmaster for the signal grounds. |
@fuzztone |
- 22 posts total