Scope and ground loops

Differential Scope Primer is a good introduction to oscillospe measurement. This web posting is a shortened version of the information on that document related to ground loops. I have also added here some of my own comments.

Most oscilloscopes are designed to measure voltages that are referenced to earth ground, which is connected to the scope chassis. These are referred to as “single-ended” measurements. Ground loops can corrupt such scope measurement easily.

A ground loop results when two or more separate ground paths are tied together at two or more points. The result is a loop of conductor. Connecting the ground lead of an oscilloscope probe to the ground in the circuit-under-test results in a ground loop if the circuit is “grounded” to earth ground. Typically the metal chassis of both scope and device under test are connected to safety ground and internal power supply common. Scope probe ground connects to scope chassis at the input BNC connector.

Introducti2_02
Image source: http://www.tek.com/Measurement/App_Notes/DiffOscPrimer/Introduction.html

In the presence of a varying magnetic field, this loop becomes the secondary of a transformer which is essentially a shorted turn. The magnetic field which excites the transformer can be created by any conductor in the vicinity which is carrying AC or changing current. The potential difference seen on oscilloscope probe ground can range from microvolts to as high as hundreds of millivolts.

In these situations, it’s often tempting to remove the probe ground lead to get rid of the noise. This method really works sometimes, but this technique is only effective when measuring very low-frequency signals. At higher frequencies, the probe without good ground contact on both ends begins to add “ring” to the signal. Keep in mind that the current must always form a loop and the smaller the loop are the better. Mysterious ground article gives you more details on what happens and what errors you can see. It is possible that the position of the probe cable can have an effect on the shape of the signals you see on the scope (Try it). Another nasty artifact of a no-ground probe arrangement is the resonance associated with the combination of the rather large inductance (loop inductance of L1=500 nH) and input capacitance of the probe (for example C1=1-10 pF). This resonance is called a probe resonance. A short, explicit ground connection made between the scope ground and the equipment under test shunts around both CI and L1, eliminating their influence on the measured result and pushing the probe resonance up and out of the band of interest.

The next technique often tried to break ground loops is to “float” the scope or “float” the circuit being measured. This practice is inherently dangerous, as it defeats the protection from electrical shock. Idea of “floating” the scope is generally a bad and unsafe idea with a normal oscilloscope (usually metal case and touchable metal parts in it, all in contact with probe ground). Some battery-operated portable scopes allow safe floating operation and you can get rid of ground loop problems and neither side grounded problems with them.

In case of small circuit being measured powering the circuit through safety isolation transformer that breaks the ground connection could be useful. Powering the circuit being measurede though safety isolation transformer is a proven method used at electronics repair shops.

Even when the measurement system doesn’t introduce ground loops, the “ground is not ground” syndrome may exist within the device being measured. Large static currents and high-frequency currents act on the resistive and inductive components of the device ground path to produce voltage gradients. These effects have challenged designers of sensitive analog systems and fast digital systems for years.

If the voltage to be measured is between two circuit nodes, neither of which is grounded, conventional oscilloscope probing cannot be used. There are several types of differential amplifiers and isolation systems available for oscilloscopes with different propertied (targeted for different applications).

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  28. Tomi Engdahl says:

    WTF are Ground Loops?
    http://hackaday.com/2017/03/09/wtf-are-ground-loops/

    These magical creatures crop up out of nowhere and fry your electronics or annoy your ear holes. Understanding them will doubtless save you money and hassle. The ground loop in a nutshell is what happens when two separate devices (A and B) are connected to ground separately, and then also connected to each other through some kind of communication cable with a ground, creating a loop. This provides two separate paths to ground (B can go through its own connection to ground or it can go through the ground of the cable to A and then to A’s ground), and means that current may start flowing in unanticipated ways. This is particularly noticeable in analog AV setups, where the result is audio hum or visible bars in a picture, but is also sometimes the cause of unexplained equipment failures.

    The Solution

    Now that you’re an expert, solving the problem (or avoiding it entirely), is pretty straightforward. The most certain way is to cut the loop, which means removing the cable, or replacing it with something that isn’t a wire. You could switch to a wireless communication, like Bluetooth or WiFi. Some wired protocols use differential signals instead of single-ended signaling so that there isn’t a need for a common ground for reference. Move plugs around so that they are plugged into the same outlet, making your loop as small as possible. Another option is to use an isolator, which you could purchase for your cable of choice or design into your project with an optoisolator or isolation transformer. Do not use a cheater plug or remove the ground pin, as that just eliminates a safety feature and could create a dangerous situation with a chassis at live voltage.

    But if it’s connected to mains and has an earth pin (even indirectly, like a device powered by USB through a computer power supply), there is the potential to create a ground loop, because you’re connecting your grounded scope to another grounded device via the probe.

    So to sum up: ground isn’t just ground. For measurement noise purposes, it’s best for each device to have one and only one path to a single ground point. When there are two or more paths to ground, they can form a loop that will pick up all sorts of environmental electrical and magentic interference. Fixing a ground loop is as simple as breaking it open, but to do so you have to have a good mental picture of all of the ground paths in play.

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