You've been using surge protectors for years to protect your electronics from power surges. But have you ever noticed that when you plug your surge protector into the outlets in your home, there's a faint humming noise? That's because you've created a ground loop. Read on to learn more about ground loops and how to avoid them.
What is a ground loop?
A ground loop is created when two or more devices are connected together and share a common ground. The common ground can be the earth, a wire, or even a water pipe. When the devices are connected, they forma loop that completes the circuit and allows electricity to flow between them.
The problem with ground loops is that they can cause interference in electrical signals. This can lead to problems with your audio and video equipment, as well as your computer. In some cases, the interference can be so bad that it causes your equipment to malfunction.
How do I avoid creating a ground loop?
There are a few things you can do to avoid creating a ground loop:
- Use only one surge protector per circuit. If you have multiple devices plugged into one surge protector, unplug all but one of them.
- Use only one power strip per circuit. Power strips work in the same way as surge protectors, so they can also cause ground loops.
- Use isolation transformers. Isolation transformers isolate each device from the others and prevent ground loops from forming.
- Use balanced audio cables. Balanced audio cables have three conductors instead of two. This prevents ground loops from forming and reduces interference.
- Use wireless connections. Wireless connections don't rely on physical cables, so they can't form ground loops.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to avoid creating ground loops in your home theater or office setup. However, if you find that you're still having problems with interference, you may need to get professional help from an electrician or audio/video specialist.
Conclusion
If you want to keep your electronics safe from power surges, you need to invest in a quality surge protector. But with so many products on the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose. That's why we've put together a list of the top 5 best surge protectors available, so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you. Whether you're looking for something basic or something more comprehensive, we've got you covered.
