

With so many connections referenced to ground within a facility, the likelihood of establishing more than one point is great.įor instruments like thermocouples and some analyzers, you may not be able to completely eliminate ground loops because these instruments require a ground to make accurate rate measurements.
Ground loop noise isolator degradation install#
The probability of establishing multiple grounds and ground loops is especially high when you install new programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or distributed control systems. So it can't accurately reflect process conditions. As a result, the receiving device can't tell the difference between the wanted and the unwanted signals. 1.īasically, ground loops cause problems by adding or subtracting current or voltage to or from a process signal. According to the ANSI/ IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms, a ground loop is a "potentially detrimental loop formed when two or more points in an electrical system normally at ground potential are connected by a conducting path such that either or both points are not at the same ground potential." In other words, a ground loop develops because each ground is tied to a different earth potential, which allows current to flow between the grounds by way of the process loop, as shown in Fig. Having problems with your process controls and electrical instrumentation? The source may be a grounding disturbance known as a ground loop.
