Grounding machines

[arbycoffee]

Good advice, Very cheap insurance!

[napster]

These little devices that everyone is referring to are called "Circuit Analyzers or Circuit Testers" They are readily available at the Home Depot.

GFCI Tester Model # GFI-501A Store SKU 398469 $7.95
Standard 3 Wire Tester Model # GRT-500A Store SKU 345238 $4.95

I think that the GFI Tester will handle both types of outlets, but I would check the instructions to be sure.
BOB

[websherpa]

I just wanted to post a follow-up for those who question the absence of a connected ground on their machines.

Grounding a machine's neutral when it has a purposeful separate ground wire isn't a great idea (and could void your fire insurance I believe). Although the machine may operate, there's too much risk of becoming the machine's ground if you touch the case or hinge or other exposed part (appliances with no ground wire are completely incased so that you can only touch insulation, or a very hot element). There shouldn't be any stray voltage on the machine's chassis, if so then it's possible the neutral has been connected to the machine's ground somewhere.

After completing a simple meter test to ensure that the neutral and hot wires in the machine were isolated from the ground and each other - and my machine had a black hot, white neutral and a striped green and yellow ground wire, I wired in a three wire grounded cord (a surplus electronic power supply cord). No problems at all, the machine's innards are safely grounded (I even pig-tailed the ground wire to the electrical supply chassis as the connection point for the power cord's ground wire). No stray voltages. You may want to find an 8 foot or longer cord since these machines sit up high you need a bit of extra length to meet the maximum standard 6 foot distance that might be required to a receptacle (without a power bar). A surge protected power bar is a good idea too, and I always switch off my machine when I'm not around, just in case.

[vespacar]

Just like my car, you can never have enough grounds. When I was fixing scooters and doing electrical work, first thing I'd do is make sure all the ground are good. This usually fixed the problems about 1/2 the time!!

Cheers,
James

[slotter]

Periodically, it sure doesn't hurt to redirect over to this thread that has lots of discussion on grounding your machines. Take a read if you haven't checked your grounding yet:

http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3480

[websherpa]

Thank you for the link. In particular Walt / Chief wrote "Someone let me know what you find.... Unplug the machine and take an Ohm meter (x1 scale) and measure from the green (green/white) wire to some metal parts of the machine. Say, power supply box, rails, etc.

I'm hoping that you will see a dead short. And that's good. If so, grounding to the ground pin on a standard AC outlet is the right thing to do.

But! before you plug it in, do one more test for me. With the power switches on (not plugged in), measure from each plug prong to the same metal parts you measured above. The meter should show open - very high resistance. If it doesn't, there could be a fault or you may be encountering a bleeder circuit (a circuit that drains any charge in the power supply when unplugged) or a surge protector. Some equipment use MOV (metal oxide varistor) that short to ground when there is a spike on the line."

And this is particularly good advice and worth checking before you add the three prong cord. If this type of thing scares you, don't attempt it.