Electrical Ground Loop Hum

Chances are you can more easily isolate a problem if it just starting with the addition of a new piece of equipment.

Electrical ground loop hum.

A ground connection connects every piece of metal on your guitar and acts as a return path to the amp. The same system are receiving its power from a different ground than other components or the ground potential between two pieces of equipment is not. A ground or earth connection is a term that relates to a multitude of topics related to electrical engineering for our intents and purposes a proper ground connection is an essential part of your guitar s wiring. Ground loops can be geenrally identified by a low hum 60hz in the us 50hz in europe through the sound system.

Pretty much any device with a motor hair dryers and blenders for instance as well as light dimmers and failing fluorescent. But what exactly does that mean. Wiring practices that protect against ground loops include ensuring that all vulnerable signal circuits are referenced to one point as ground. First you should determine the type of hum you are dealing with.

Ground loops are common when video equipment is connected. This is caused by a difference in electrical potential at grounding points. The most common cause of hum is the ground loop fortunately it is also the easiest to solve. 120hz buzz typically caused by ground loops and 60hz hum typically a result of poor shielding cable problems or close proximity to strong magnetic fields.

In particular a cable tv connection. Ground loops are the most common cause of ac line frequency hum in sound systems. This can be caused by devices that introduce an electric potential to the ground connection including peripheral devices connected to your computer. Ground loops are usually perceived as a hum or buzz in your audio signal.

Start with the processor receiver to determine if the hum buzz is source related or due to a ground loop occurring after the amplification stage note any recent changes to the system that brought on this problem. Ground loops are a major cause of noise hum and interference in audio video and computer systems. Differential signaling can be used to reject ground induced interference. Reconnect each source again one at a time and listen for the hum to return.

It s most likely a cabling issue that is allowing noise from the building s ac power lines into your equipment called ground loop hum. If steps 1 and 2 were no but removing all inputs eliminates the hum it is likely you have what is called a ground loop.