Most correct, Mr. Price.

Reference article 250 (very similar stuff in CEC), and many many others for 
your viewing pleasure.

Of course for Class II construction without polarized plugs....

Brian

From: Ed Price [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 9:17 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [PSES] AC input test voltages - requirement for grounded phase?

I believe that in the USA, the AC power feed is defined by the National 
Electrical Code (NEC). For Residential service, the utility company will supply 
a 120-0-120 three-wire feed to a house. At the point of entry, the "0" wire 
will be tied to a physical ground rod. The "0" wire, which we call Neutral, 
will then be routed to a distribution busbar in the circuit breaker panel of 
the house. Both of the "120" lines will route through the meter and then 
through the circuit breakers. Power for various loads is drawn from the 
individual breakers. A Safety Ground distribution busbar is also connected to 
the ground rod, and Safety Ground wires go from the distribution busbar to all 
(typically NEMA-15) outlets too.

For typical Class B FCC Residential equipment, the "high" side will connect to 
a circuit breaker output and the "low" or "return" side will connect back to 
the Neutral distribution busbar. So, if you are testing to FCC Part 15 for 
Class B, then I would say that your power source should have the Neutral tied 
to the Ground. And for justification, you can cite the NEC as governing the 
electrical interface where a Class B equipment would be utilized.

Ed Price
WB6WSN
Chula Vista, CA USA

-----Original Message-----
From: John Woodgate [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 7:19 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [PSES] AC input test voltages - requirement for grounded phase?

In message
<camsb7hsnbuxus1fwguu9em2oo-vqjxvagdxqb8jnwbwpfo5...@mail.gmail.com>,
dated Wed, 23 Oct 2013, Pat Lawler <[email protected]> writes:

>Do the EMC test standards require one of the AC input phases ('neutral' 
>in the U.S.) be grounded?  If so, where can I find an example of this 
>requirement?

I can't recall any specific provision, but the testing must be done under 
conditions that are as realistic as possible, and a balanced mains supply does 
not qualify unless the product is specifically intended to be operated from 
such a supply.

-
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