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Transformer Grounding

J

Jay Davis

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm building a basic power supply utilizing a simply 24V, 5A
transformer. I want to test the circuit before installing it in a case,
but I'm a bit confused about how I should ground it. I've got it
properly fused, but the third wire in the cord (the 'earth' ground)
currently isn't hooked to anything (yet, and no, I won't turn it on
until I get this figured out <grin>). I realize that one normally
attaches it to the chassis, but in this case, what should I attach it
to? Should I solder it to the case of the transformer? What about if I
install the power supply in a plastic case, then where should it go?

Thanks for your help!

Jay Davis
 
J

Jay Davis

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jay said:
I'm building a basic power supply utilizing a simply 24V, 5A
transformer. I want to test the circuit before installing it in a case,

<snip>

Sorry to follow up my own post, but I should have mentioned that my
secondary is center tapped. Should I ground the earth ground to the
center tap of the transformer? I've seen this design in some places,
but I don't know if it's correct or not.
 
J

John Popelish

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jay said:
<snip>

Sorry to follow up my own post, but I should have mentioned that my
secondary is center tapped. Should I ground the earth ground to the
center tap of the transformer? I've seen this design in some places,
but I don't know if it's correct or not.

You may or may not want to have the DC outputs referenced to Earth
ground, so that is your choice. But in the absence of a chassis, I
would attach the safety ground to the transformer core in whatever way
is practical (lug bolted through the lamination stack, if there is a
hole, or lug bolted to mounting tab).

It is also a good idea to have a fuse in the hot lead of the primary
wiring.
 
J

Jay Davis

Jan 1, 1970
0
John said:
You may or may not want to have the DC outputs referenced to Earth
ground, so that is your choice. But in the absence of a chassis, I
would attach the safety ground to the transformer core in whatever way
is practical (lug bolted through the lamination stack, if there is a
hole, or lug bolted to mounting tab).

It is also a good idea to have a fuse in the hot lead of the primary
wiring.

Yep, got that fuse in there. I'll polish up one of the mounting tabs
and bolt the earth ground there. Thanks!
 
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