[sdiy] Grounding of inputs/outputs for modules

[David G Dixon]

> But alumina is an insulator. So to make reliable electrical 
> contact with aluminium, you must pierce through the alumina 
> layer and (this is the difficult bit) somehow keep oxygen out 
> of there FOREVER.
> 
> > As far as I know, none of the panel-to-jack connections has ever 
> > failed in my modular.  If it were a problem, I could easily wire up 
> > all the jack rings, but it simply doesn't seem to be necessary.
> 
> How would you know if one did ? As all of your modules share 
> the same 0 V reference through the power supply, the jack 
> sleeves are only used for shielding. Loss of shielding would 
> not be obvious thanks to the high levels and low impedances. 
> The Serge modular is proof of that.
>
> The only failure you might notice is in the socket that goes 
> to your mixing desk. Even then you might not if the ground is 
> tied to earth on both sides.

That is exactly how I can tell if I've forgotten to hook up the Panel Ground
lead.  It's bloody obvious.

In any case, much house wiring used to be made of aluminum.  Our first house
in BC, built in 1951, had all aluminum wiring.  It was upgraded because the
aluminum was considered a fire hazard (it probably wasn't), but this worked
well for 30+ years in those houses.  It neither corroded nor lost
conductivity.

I must say I'm just not too worried about any of this.