This is the "sneak path" through a grounding system, and must always be
considered.
Although this thread is directed at mobile installations, it applies
equally to home station installations. If you have a driven ground rod
that is not connected with heavy wire to the utility entry ground rod,
similar situations exist and can be a safety hazard. Connect all
grounds together unless they are 100 feet or more apart - it is a
requirement of electrical codes.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 9/12/2016 10:01 AM, Fred Moore wrote:
So what had happened.. This was a case where the radio was wired
directly to the battery, with fuses in both the positive and negative
leads. The fuse in the negative lead was indeed blown (unknown
reason). The ground path to the radio was up the coax shield to the
masthead antenna, this antenna was DC grounded flowed then down the mast
to the ground plate.
This connection raised the ground potential in reference to all other
grounds 1.75 volts.. and was the cause of all of the problems.
Properly grounding the radio ground to the ground plate permanently
resolved the issue..
This was a case of small currents (radio in receive), however should a
starter have been involved as Tom (W8JI) explains the currents would
have been great and could easily have caused a fire.
My point is where ground connections are made can have consequences..
Regards.. Fred
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