Model 2701 User’s Manual
Measurement Considerations
E-7
Ground loops
When two or more instruments are connected together, care must be taken to avoid
unwanted signals caused by ground loops. Ground loops usually occur when sensitive
instrumentation is connected to other instrumentation with more than one signal return
path, such as power line ground. As shown in Figure E-2, the resulting ground loop causes
current to flow through the instrument LO signal leads and then back through power line
ground. This circulating current develops a small but undesirable voltage between the LO
terminals of the two instruments. This voltage will be added to the source voltage,
affecting the accuracy of the measurement.
Figure E-2
Power line ground loops
Figure E-3 shows how to connect several instruments together to eliminate this type of
ground loop problem. Here, only one instrument is connected to power line ground.
Ground loops are not normally a problem with instruments like the Model 2701 that have
isolated LO terminals. However, all instruments in the test setup may not be designed in
this manner. When in doubt, consult the manual for all instrumentation in the test setup.
Signal Leads
Instrument 1
Power Line Ground
Ground
Loop
Current
Instrument 2
Instrument 3
2701-900-01.book Page 7 Wednesday, August 3, 2011 9:43 AM
Summary of Contents for 2701
Page 344: ...12 CommonCommands 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...
Page 366: ...15 SCPIReferenceTables 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...
Page 393: ...A Specifications 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...
Page 399: ...B Model7700ConnectionGuide 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...
Page 410: ...C StatusandErrorMessages 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...
Page 417: ...D SignalProcessing SequenceandDataFlow 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...
Page 430: ...E MeasurementConsiderations 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...
Page 450: ...G KE2700InstrumentDriver Examples 2701 900 01 book Page 1 Wednesday August 3 2011 9 43 AM...