How bad is it if my amp does not have a ground?

[godbreath]

Well, I finally figured out what was causing the interference, it was the ground wire. So, right now my amp does not have a ground. Will that harm my amp in any way or is it perfectly save? Or i notice that the plug has a metal pin sticking out. Should I connect a wire from that to some metal to ground it?

 

[elliot42]

If the amp plugs into a wall socket, and it has an attached ground pin, it's there for a reason. Devices that have any exposed metal in their body require an earth for safety so that if anything goes wrong inside and you get mains voltages going where they shouldn't, the earth connection is there so that if you touch the device the mains voltage goes straight into the earth via the ground pin plugged into the wall and not via your body.

I'm not sure which metal pin sticking out you're talking about, at the wall, or in the amp? But generally, the metal ground pin in the amp will be connected to the chassis (if it is metal) and that connects to the ground connection in the wall through the power cable.

 

[deltaydeltax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elliot42 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Umm... if the amp plugs into a wall socket, and it has an attached ground pin, it's there for a reason. Devices that have any exposed metal in their body require an earth for safety so that if anything goes wrong inside and you get mains voltages going where they shouldn't, the earth connection is there so that if you touch the device the mains voltage goes straight into the earth via the ground pin plugged into the wall and not via your body.

I second this statement. Get that ground fixed.

 

[godbreath]

I meant the metal part that sticks out of the adapter so that you can attach your own ground wire to.

And how do I fix ground loop problems?

 

[El_Doug]

the first step is usually to try making sure that EVERYTHING in the audio chain is connected to the same ground, typically by having all your gear powered by the same outlet (unless you know which outlets throughout the room share a common ground)

if that doesnt work, there are several ground loop isolators you can buy

 

[godbreath]

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Doug /img/forum/go_quote.gif the first step is usually to try making sure that EVERYTHING in the audio chain is connected to the same ground, typically by having all your gear powered by the same outlet (unless you know which outlets throughout the room share a common ground) if that doesnt work, there are several ground loop isolators you can buy

Everything is ocnnected to the same wall outlet by 2 surge protectors connected to each other. Is it ok if there are non audio stuff connected to that surge protector such as the monitor/light desk?

Also, the interference disappears when i
1. Unplug the monitor power cable
2. Unplug the dvi cable
3. Turn off computer

 

[punk_guy182]

This is interesting info. I'll try unplugging my LCD cable and computer cable to see what if interference goes away and I'll report back.

 

[godbreath]

YES.

I finally fixed it. What was wrong was that the monitor amp and computer were using the same wall outlet. Once I put the computer and amp on the same wall outlet, and the monitor on a different one, the interference went away. Finally after hours and hours the noise is finally gone and I can enjoy my music.

 

[Lunchbox2]

Good to know. I've had humm issues like that before also.