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FLOATED SOURCE EQUIPMENT
Source units with a 2-pin mains power cord have no means to connect the audio output ground to earth ground, so usually
the audio output ground is floated from earth ground. However, this does not insure that when installed in a system, the
audio output ground will remain floated from earth ground. The input cable to this equipment may already be connected to
earth ground earlier in the audio chain, and it will typically be carried straight through to the output. It is also possible that
the audio output ground connects to the earth ground through the chassis to an earth-grounded rack. The only way to know
for sure is to test the installed system. Use an ohmmeter to check for continuity between the earth ground socket of the
mains power receptacle and the audio output ground. If the audio output ground is not connected to earth ground, it is
floated equipment.
Consult the following diagrams for examples of recommended wiring techniques:
Shield
Chassis
Audio
Ground
XLR, 1/4" Mono Amplifier
1/4" Mono: sleeve shorts
— input to Audio Ground;
XLR: short pins 1 & 3 together
COAX OR TWISTED PAIR
FLOATED,
UNBALANCED
SOURCE
2
3
1
Shield
Chassis
Audio
Ground
XLR, 1/4" TRS Amplifier
SHIELDED TWISTED PAIR
FLOATED,
UNBALANCED
SOURCE
shield connected at both ends
1
3
2
Shield
Chassis
Audio
Ground
XLR, 1/4" TRS Amplifier
SHIELDED TWISTED PAIR
FLOATED,
BALANCED
SOURCE
shield connected at both ends
1
3
2
Shield
Float
Audio
Ground
XLR, 1/4" Mono Amplifier
1/4" Mono: sleeve shorts
— input to Audio Ground;
XLR: short pins 1 & 3 together
COAX OR TWISTED PAIR
GROUNDED,
UNBALANCED
SOURCE
2
3
1