Fender Ground Switch Question

[Geezer]

  Hoffman Amplifiers
    > Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs
        > Fender Ground Switch Question      
 
<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>  
Author  Comment  
brookgannon
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 59
(3/31/04 1:43 pm)
 Fender Ground Switch Question
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 What exacltly does the ground switch do for an amplifier? I am planning a scratch build and was wondering if I should include it. It seems that I have heard that with modern grounded outlets thay are not needed why would this be? Thanks Brook  
 
LooseChange
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 231
(3/31/04 7:47 pm)
 Re: Fender Ground Switch Question
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 If you use a 3 prong (USA) wall plug, you don't need it.
 
Harry
Posts: 9
(4/1/04 12:48 am)
 Re: Fender Ground Switch Question
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Back in the day (before I was born mind you) there was no seperate ground on your standard edison wall receptical. The plugs weren't necessarily polarized either. Typically you would want the amps internal "ground" tied to nuetral, but there was no way to know in advance which wire coming in on your two wire cord would be the nuetral and which would be the hot. The ground switch simply applies the amp ground to either wire. If you get a shock from touching the amp then you need to flip the switch the other way.
Now that we have polarized recepticals with ground wires included the ground switch isn't necessary at all. I put one in to fill the old hole, but it won't be attached to anything. Incidently my old 68 twin has a NON ground, 2 wire polarized receptical for the aux AC so I guess they were on there way.
 
 
brookgannon
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 60
(4/2/04 10:22 am)
 Re: Fender Ground Switch Question
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Thanks for the replies. I am a second year electrical engineering student and am currently taking my first circuits class (I have gained some electrical knowledge building amplifieres and in my physics courses). I really apreciate the time spent helping me understand why amplifieres are designed the way they are. Brook

P.S. Can anyone help me with differential equations?  
 
GroundhogKen
Forum Moderator
Posts: 2338
(4/2/04 11:24 am)
 Re: Fender Ground Switch Question
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 I actually liked Diff. Eq., but I haven't used the knowledge much since I took the course.

I still remember the buzzwords like Laplace Tranforms and Fourier Transforms, but I'd have to crack open a textbook to remember what to do with the stuff.


Ken
 
Tiny Daddy
I will work on all amps
Posts: 592
(4/2/04 11:36 am)
 Re: Fender Ground Switch Question
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 I never used that stuff either, in fact did not learn in school what I expected to learn when I applied. But the math helps with understanding things like filter rolloff and phase shift and frequency-domain and hysteresis. School teaches what it is, but not how to use it. The rest you learn from years at the bench and/or computer in an R&D environment, learning from senior people.
 
zachsdad
Posts: 8
(4/2/04 4:24 pm)
 Teach/Learn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 You can be taught how things are supposed to be,
But you must learn how they really are.

LG
 
 
 << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

 

 Topic Commands
 Click to receive email notification of replies
  
jump to:  Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs (New)New Product Suggestions (New)Praises - Complaints - Suggestions (New)Buy - Sell- Trade (New)Archives (New)    
 

- Hoffman Amplifiers - Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs - Hoffman Amplifiers -



Powered By ezboard® Ver. 7.32
Copyright ©1999-2005 ezboard, Inc.