[sdiy] should I connect the plug ground to the transformerground?

[Tony Allgood]

Hi all,

In the UK, you are not allowed to cut the earth cable anywhere. The
metal chassis, if it designed to be earthed, must be bonded to earth. If
you play your stuff live, you are liable to make it safe for all. That
means all earth bonding must be lower than 0.2 ohm from plug to all
parts of the chassis. Plastic stuff and other double insulated stuff is
free from this of course.

I would say about 10% of all mains powered gear I get in to fix has its
mains wire cut in the plug. Needless to say when it goes back to the
customer the wire goes back in place.

All UK repair places are legally obliged to do a continuity and
insulation test. Items that fail must be repaired or rendered
inoperable.

In Lancaster, and probably quite a few other places in the UK, the
council requires all of its public owned venues to check for mains earth
continuity. If you don't have a sticker on back of your gear, you don't
play. Smaller venues probably don't care or know about this.

But on a related note: there are now heaps of gear being piled up in
schools with 'FAILED continuity' stickers on the back. Anything with
metal switches and plastic cases have been known to fail the test and
get skipped. Ripe pickings out there....

Regards,

Tony Allgood, Penrith, Cumbria, England

Oakley Modular Synth and TB3030:
www.oakleysound.com/projects.htm
My music: www.mp3.com/taklamakan