If you've ever been in an electrical storm, you know the feeling of worry that comes with it. Will my house get hit by lightning? Will the power go out? What about my electronics?
All of these are valid concerns, but there's one more you should be aware of: ground loops. What are they, and how can you prevent them? We're here to answer all your questions.
What Is A Ground Loop?
A ground loop is an electrical current that travels through the ground instead of through the intended path of an electrical circuit.
This can happen when there is a break in the circuit, or when two pieces of equipment are connected in a way that completes the circuit through the ground instead of through the intended path.
In either case, the result is an unwanted current flowing through the ground, which can usually be heard as a buzzing or hissing sound and can damage equipment or cause safety hazards.
How Can I Prevent A Ground Loop?
One way to prevent a ground loop is to use a surge protector. A surge protector is a device that protects against voltage spikes by diverting the excess voltage to the ground.
This helps to protect your equipment from damage and can also help to prevent a ground loop from forming since everything connected to it will be potentially using the same ground path as opposed to devices connected to separate outlets.
Ground loops can be dangerous and damaging, but there are steps you can take to prevent them. One such step is to use a surge protector. So next time there's a storm rolling in, don't forget to plug in your surge protector!
