Re: Wierd Ground Problem?

To understand your problem, first you must understand what
Charles posted:
> 1/ Grounds are not all the same. When two grounds are connected
> together, a current can result (and often does). This current
> can induce a hum signal into low-level signal conductors.

Lets example this. Take a radio connected to a long wire.
Radio receives signal. Ground the far end. Why does the
signal not disappear? Because wire is not a perfect
conductor. Ground at one end of the wire is not ground at the
other end. You have not yet understood that.

The way I read it, you have grounded satellite system to an
earth ground. They and a Belkin UPS are also grounded it to a
safety ground - wall receptacle. Meanwhile, computer and
other components are connected to another wall receptacle - a
completely different ground. IOW you have classic ground
loops. Numerous grounds - none that are considered a single
point ground.

Let's assume satellite wall receptacle and computer wall
receptacle connect at the breaker box single point ground.
Now you have a voltage between computer and satellite
equipment. That's right. Just like with the antenna.
Neither are fully connected to breaker box ground AND both are
even farther apart (electrically). That is the classic ground
loop problem.

Meanwhile, four foot earth ground is typically too short for
electronic protection. Also never remove safety grounds to
fix the problem. Reroute them? Ok. But those who fix
problems without first learning the problems will even solve
problems by disconnecting the human safety ground. Not
necessary nor advised if concepts of ground loops and single
point ground are understood.

Meanwhile, every wire entering the building - AC electric,
phone, CATV, and that satellite must share a single point
building ground. That four foot rod should be connected to
household ground by a buried, bare copper wire (as detailed by
NEC).

cindyanello@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I was using a single 120 volt wall outlet to power all the equipment
> when I first experienced the hum. That outlet is properly grounded
> through the house wiring to the power panel. Both the satellite
> receiver and the PVR computer are connected to a Belkin UPS that plugs
> into the 120 volt outlet.
>
> I did introduce a second ground with the satellite dish and cable being
> grounded via the 4 foot copper grounding rod. i did that to provide
> lightening static discharge protection for the satellite dish.
>
> I'm guessing that second satllite dish ground was causing the hum - and
> now I need to know if I should disconnect it - and run a ground wire
> around the outside of the house to connect the dish and cable to the
> house ground. I kind of think that is what I should do to avoid future
> problems - although right now the hum has gone away!!.
.

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