Can I fix floating ground current leak my own?
- Thread starter flankerad
- Start date
Solution
Both the monitor chassis and the PC case should be connected to ground via their power cables so this shouldn't really happen. Are you plugging them into outlets on the same circuit? Are the outlets both properly grounded? Is one of them plugged into a surge-protector and the other not? (I measured a difference of about 100V between ground on my PC and ground on my hifi system when I first tried connecting them together - then I remembered that I had filtered, surge-protected outlets for the PC. Fitting surge-protection for the hifi system solved the problem. I got a reasonable buzz when I touched both the PC case and the metal barrel of the phono connectors as I went to plug them in...)
Sorry, more questions than answers there!
Stephen
Sorry, more questions than answers there!
Stephen
- May 27, 2010
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If your monitor is still under warranty, send it back.
Confirming that all your devices are using working three prong power cables would be a first step. (including any power strips/bricks you might be using)
Having identified the monitor as the cause you might want to pop it open and do a visual inspection to see if any of the high voltage stuff is touching or close to touching any ground planes or chassis ground.
Measuring ground to ground between your devices with an Ohm meter (while they are off!) to confirm they are all properly connected to ground and each other as a next step. If you get non - near zero values then you have an issue somewhere.
If it is nothing obvious then the internal circuits are having issues leaking voltage to ground. That is not really a good thing and is quite technical to troubleshoot without schematics or common understanding of high voltage power supplies. (Unless it is an LED panel, then it is somewhere in the high power low-voltage supply for the LED backlight and LCD panel)
I should add that you can also measure the floating voltage by setting a multimeter to AC (DC floats are pretty rare, but you can try that as well) and measuring between a true ground(at the wall socket in this case) and various ground points on your computer and monitor. This must be done with the equipment running. Depending on the nature of the problem this can blow up a non-self ranging multimeter with high voltage.
Confirming that all your devices are using working three prong power cables would be a first step. (including any power strips/bricks you might be using)
Having identified the monitor as the cause you might want to pop it open and do a visual inspection to see if any of the high voltage stuff is touching or close to touching any ground planes or chassis ground.
Measuring ground to ground between your devices with an Ohm meter (while they are off!) to confirm they are all properly connected to ground and each other as a next step. If you get non - near zero values then you have an issue somewhere.
If it is nothing obvious then the internal circuits are having issues leaking voltage to ground. That is not really a good thing and is quite technical to troubleshoot without schematics or common understanding of high voltage power supplies. (Unless it is an LED panel, then it is somewhere in the high power low-voltage supply for the LED backlight and LCD panel)
I should add that you can also measure the floating voltage by setting a multimeter to AC (DC floats are pretty rare, but you can try that as well) and measuring between a true ground(at the wall socket in this case) and various ground points on your computer and monitor. This must be done with the equipment running. Depending on the nature of the problem this can blow up a non-self ranging multimeter with high voltage.
Is whatever the PC/monitor plugged into actually grounded?
it is possible to wire up a 120/240v plug (in the wall) without connecting the ground, or if using a power bar that its ground plug was removed (or the ground cable broke inside it).
Does the issue occur with both the PC and monitor powered on but no video cable between them? if so the issue is the grounding from the power bar (or whatever they are plugged into) not having it's own ground. It's even possible that the grounding wire from your fuse box was disconnected and nothing in the house/apartment is grounded.
Yes you got it right it occurs in above case also, I quickly checked ground seems faulty in the building only.
Its a LED panel, I think in addition to ground this also seems to add to the problem.
Anyway i can temporarily fix it ? something like short wires from cabinet to floor? Though tried short wire thing but it didn't worked.
- May 27, 2010
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- 5,766
- 144,340
Finding an earth ground in an above ground apartment can be tricky. Usually buildings have a steel rod sunk deep into the ground near the main circuit panel, usually in the basement or on the ground floor. This is supposed to be hooked to the main chassis of the circuit panel or as a separate 'Bus' bar.
If the building has a faulty ground or outlet contact the superintendent or owner.
Though between any set of devices on the same circuit using a power strip or brick it should not be an issue. You can still have floating voltages, but the potential between the devices should be neutralized. This would only become noticeable if you become grounded and are touching your PC equipment.
If the building has a faulty ground or outlet contact the superintendent or owner.
Though between any set of devices on the same circuit using a power strip or brick it should not be an issue. You can still have floating voltages, but the potential between the devices should be neutralized. This would only become noticeable if you become grounded and are touching your PC equipment.
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