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Simple question regarding amp case

post #1 of 9
2/21/10 at 5:46am
Thread Starter 
I noticed that many amps require you to connect things to the chassis, such as power ground or certain part(s) of the amp board. I'm not extremely literate regarding electricity and amp design, but I can understand why you might do this with a metal chassis.
However, what would you do if the case was plastic or wood?
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post #2 of 9
2/21/10 at 5:53am
Kinda depends what the ground connection is for. Do you have schematic & construction plans you can show us?

If it is there for safety, you can might be able leave it out since the case doesn't conduct. If there are any conductive parts that could touch the user (like a volume control shaft) it might be necessary to ground them.

If the design expects to use the case to connect signal or power ground you will have to provide a connection or the amp won't work. I'm not a big fan of using the case to interconnect signal ground but I've seen it done.

If the ground connection is for shielding, you might have to put a conductive foil shield on the inside of the case and ground it.
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post #3 of 9
2/21/10 at 9:25pm
Thread Starter 
The Cavalli-Kan Kumisa III Stereo Headphone Amplifier
Under the "wiring & ground" section

Thanks for the information and I appreciate the help.
I am planning to put the power supply in a separate case, don't know if that would change anything but I figure I should mention it.
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post #4 of 9
2/21/10 at 11:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by squid+ View Post
However, what would you do if the case was plastic or wood?
Be thankful.

se
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post #5 of 9
2/22/10 at 12:20am
Be thankful, indeed.

A couple years ago, I re-capped an old Arvin tube radio for a friend. Made in the late '30s, it had a metal chassis - which was potentially "hot", tied to one side of the AC line - and a metal case, as well. Not even a fuse!

Things are a bit safer these days.
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post #6 of 9
2/22/10 at 12:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo de Monet View Post
Be thankful, indeed.

A couple years ago, I re-capped an old Arvin tube radio for a friend. Made in the late '30s, it had a metal chassis - which was potentially "hot", tied to one side of the AC line - and a metal case, as well. Not even a fuse!

Things are a bit safer these days.
HA! No ****. Some really scary stuff was made back in the day.

se
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post #7 of 9
2/22/10 at 3:28am
Thread Starter 
haha, so I take it I don't need to worry about grounding to chassis?

I also have another quick question and rather than make a new thread, maybe someone can answer if they look here; How much does it typically cost to build a M^3?
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post #8 of 9
2/22/10 at 3:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by squid+ View Post
The Cavalli-Kan Kumisa III Stereo Headphone Amplifier
Under the "wiring & ground" section

Thanks for the information and I appreciate the help.
I am planning to put the power supply in a separate case, don't know if that would change anything but I figure I should mention it.

Looks to me like the link just about covers what you need to do.
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post #9 of 9
2/22/10 at 3:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewFischer View Post
Looks to me like the link just about covers what you need to do.
Oh wow. It was right there.
I must've read through it at least 3 times last night. Maybe it was too late and I wasn't actually "reading" it.

Man, I feel dumb now, haha.
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