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Earthing and the radio amateur

Stewart Mason
I've recently joined the IET forums. I replied to a  topic regarding amateur radio and PME on the old forum. Unfortunately I cant access the old forum anymore so I thought it would be best to start a new topic.


So. On the bench there is a transceiver with a metal case. Next to the transceiver there is a antenna tuning unit which is connected to a antenna system which is using an earth rod. Am I right in saying there is a chance of a potential difference between the two metal cases of the equipment regardless if it is a TT, TNS or TNCS?


What would be the ideal solution?  Put the shack on it's own TT supply and bond all the radio equipment back to the MET of the TT and if a earth rod is used for the antennas connect that back to the MET also?


If the TT system was not an option what would be best if the supply was a PME and you didn't want to use balanced antennas removing the use of an earth rod? 


To be honest I've never really given PME's and amateur radio much thought which in hindsight was probably a mistake. I do remember when I did my training an earth rod was recommended for the radios.


Apologies for being so random.


Stewart M0SDM
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  • 0
    Yes Stewart,

                             I was once called to a mid 70s neighbour's house where electrical items were not working correctly. I measured 240 Volts L to E and L to N. The supply was an underground TN-C-S. Eventually I twigged that when heavy loads were turned on the supply Voltage dropped considerably, and I suspected a bad N joint in the road. Jointers arrived and the joint was found. Indeed the fault was due to a corroded connection on an aluminium cable. I talked to the jointers and was told that this happened on a regular basis with old underground aluminium joints. The aluminium is compressed with a crimp joint but loses its strength and then allows the joint to become loose. Then I squared R heating takes place and the situation gets worse.


    Z.
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  • 0
    Yes Stewart,

                             I was once called to a mid 70s neighbour's house where electrical items were not working correctly. I measured 240 Volts L to E and L to N. The supply was an underground TN-C-S. Eventually I twigged that when heavy loads were turned on the supply Voltage dropped considerably, and I suspected a bad N joint in the road. Jointers arrived and the joint was found. Indeed the fault was due to a corroded connection on an aluminium cable. I talked to the jointers and was told that this happened on a regular basis with old underground aluminium joints. The aluminium is compressed with a crimp joint but loses its strength and then allows the joint to become loose. Then I squared R heating takes place and the situation gets worse.


    Z.
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