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POINTS TO REMEMBER
- In all cases, use good quality twin screened audio cable. Check for instability at the output.
- Always connect both conductors at both ends, and ensure that the screen is only connected at one end.
- Do not disconnect the mains earth from each piece of equipment. This is needed to provide both safety and
screen returns to the system start point.
- Equipment which has balanced inputs and outputs may need to be electrically isolated from the equipment rack
and/or other equipment, to avoid earth loops.
It is important to remember that all equipment which is connected to the mains is a potential source of hum and
interference and may radiate both electrostatic and electromagnetic radiation. In addition, the mains will also act as a
carrier for many forms of RF interference generated by electric motors, air-conditioning units, thyristor light dimmers
etc. Unless the earth system is clean, all attempts to improve hum noise levels will be futile. In extreme cases there will
be no alternative but to provide a completely separate and independent ‘technical earth’ to replace the incoming ‘noisy
earth’. However, always consults your local electricity supply authority to ensure that safety regulations are not being
infringed.