That does raise a question. If the chassis of the computer is bonded to the
electrical ground as well as the station ground bus, does that increase
your chances of ground loops or potential increased noise from dirt on your
house power circuit? I have my PC bonded via bolt through one of the van
vents on the chassis. If it's doing much I can't tell, there's so much else
going on at my house that my noise floor is pretty high anyway.
73,
Sean WA1TE
On Fri, Mar 1, 2019 at 8:27 PM Roger (K8RI) <k8ri@rogerhalstead.com> wrote:
> Bonding to a computer?
> There have been many a tale of RFI from computers and no few of station
> RF getting into the computer.
>
> A GOOD computer will not generate RFI!
>
> HOWEVER there are many big name brands that do. Price and brand name are
> no guarantee you'll get a good computer.
> Bonding for safety is a good idea. You can't always keep lightning out,
> but if all lines in and out rise even to thousands of volts at the same
> time it's unlikely any damage will occur.
>
> Computers are a commodity and if a dime can be saved here and there,
> it'll soon add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars...or more
> If I were to undergo a project like this, I'd pick the band, or bands,
> with the most interference and use that as a base , or starting line,
> but don't neglect the other bands and after adding a device to the
> bonding, check for any change from, or to the computers.
>
> NOTE: The green wire in your electrical wiring and in the power cord
> should be bonded to the power supply enclosure. They aren't always.
>
> Consumer grade computers/PCs tend to have plastic cases (IE: No
> shielding) and inexpensive power supplies ($10 - $15 range) in stamped
> Aluminum cases with little or no RFI suppression. If accessible I'd
> ground directly to the Al sub chassis. The Serial and USB ports do have
> a ground although tiny. I'd not depend on a ground through #22 or
> smaller wire.
>
> Custom built and gaming computers tend to have metal cases such as
> small, mid, and full size tower cases, typically made of steel. At 180#,
> I could stand on any of mine. They are strong, but they are also large
> and heavy and not inexpensive. The power supplies may run as much as
> 1200 Watts. I use 850 W supplies that even have power factor correction
> built in and generate no RFI. BUT computers often connect to phone
> lines and the station. Add to that the AC line and the network you have
> at least three additional routes for lightning into the station. Good
> power supplies run from around a $100 to well over $300
>
> I haven't read the entire thread so I apologize if I'm repeating things
> already posted
>
> I doubt many build their own computers, but now days it has become quite
> simple, at least for the mechanically inclined. They are modular and
> relatively simple to plug together, But RTFM as there are things like
> the motherboard, CPU, and memory that must be compatible. The underside
> of the CPU is a mass of tiny, fragile, pins and no place for heavy
> hands. Install with care. There is a tiny mark on the CPU and a
> corresponding mark on the socket for alignment. It should drop right in.
> If any force is needed, you have a problem.
>
> 73, Roger (K8RI)
>
> BTW, many (certainly not all) new computers now include a serial port.
> Often there is a small socket on the motherboard. In that case you have
> to purchase a small adapter plate that has the serial port and a plug to
> fit the motherboard
>
>
>
>
> On 2/28/2019 2:34 PM, N4ZR wrote:
> > I want to try to manage RFI in my shack, among other things, by
> > bonding all chassis together, including my shack computer, but the
> > question has come up - where can I find chassis ground on a PC without
> > serial or parallel ports? Is there a design standard, such as
> > connecting the power supply chassis to ground buses on the
> > motherboard, that makes this easy or does it have to be figured out PC
> > by PC?
> >
>
> --
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>
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>
--
Sent from my Motorola DynaTAC 8000X
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