SLLA057
3
A Survey of Common-Mode Noise
The second mode, conducted, is induced over the ac power system in two ways.
Common-mode (asymmetrical) RFI is present on both the line and neutral current paths with
reference to the ground or the earth path. Differential (symmetrical) RFI is present as a voltage
between the line and neutral leads.
2.3 Ground Loops
One of the most difficult types of power problem to understand, diagnose, and resolve is the
ground loop. All types of equipment are susceptible to this type of problem, be it medical,
industrial, or data processing. Ground loops can cause data errors, component failures,
lock-ups, and, worst case, even cause safety hazards.
Grounding is primarily used to insure safety from fire and hazards. An important aspect of this
protection is a reliance on multiple or redundant grounds. In this way if one ground is
accidentally removed or disconnected the additional safety paths exist. This redundancy has
one major side effect, it can create ground loops.
Grounding is also used to terminate the shield on transmission lines and to provide shielding to
prevent radiated emissions from getting in or out.
When ground loops are formed, the current that flows in the system ground is very
unpredictable. This ground current can be caused by voltage differences, induction from other
cables or devices, wiring errors, ground faults, and normal equipment leakage. The currents
can be dc, 60 Hz, or very high frequency.
Ground loops can cause specific equipment problems in three ways
:
1. Low energy currents in the grounds generate voltages that can cause data errors. These
can be low frequency such as a 60-Hz hum or high frequency classified as electrical
noise.
2. High-energy transients choose data grounds instead of power grounds to clear to earth.
These transients can be caused internally from switching or inrush currents, for example
the initial charge on the input capacitors in a switching power supply, the starting of a high
inductive motor, and, of course, lightning. These transients can cause equipment damage
to drivers, receivers, microprocessors and almost any electrical component if the surge is
high enough.
3. Ground loops are one cause of common-mode noise between phases, neutral and
ground, in a power distribution system. This noise is injected into the power supplies,
which in turn pass it on to the electronic components.
3 Common Mode Noise
The term common-mode noise is used in ac power management and in circuit design
considerations. Both environments are discussed.
Common-mode noise in terms of ac power is the noise signal between the neutral and the
ground conductor. This should not be confused with normal mode noise, which is referenced
from the line (hot), and the neutral conductor.
Common-mode noise impulses tend to be higher in frequency than the associated normal mode
noise signal. This is to be expected since the majority of the common-mode signals originate
from capacitively coupled normal mode signals. The higher the frequency, the greater the
coupling among the conductors, line, neutral and ground. Electronic equipment is 10 to 100
times more sensitive to common mode noise than normal mode noise.