OK, a dumb question. I know that ground loops, or grounding an electrical system at more than one point, cause trouble. It's a good general rule that applies to 480 volts or 24 volts. I've fixed electronic systems by identifying a ground loop and removing it. I can understand how the code requires a building neutral to be connected to ground at only one point, that's fine. I have busted the I.T. department for wanting their own ground rod at the Server closet, not connected to the building ground and erroneously thinking this would be less noisy.
I was trying to explain WHY these things cause trouble the other day, and came up short. (pun intended) Why do we so scrupulously try to avoid ground loops? What is the mechanism involved? What sort of trouble do they cause? Do they cause extra trouble when lightning is in the system?
I was trying to explain WHY these things cause trouble the other day, and came up short. (pun intended) Why do we so scrupulously try to avoid ground loops? What is the mechanism involved? What sort of trouble do they cause? Do they cause extra trouble when lightning is in the system?