[TenTec] White Paper On Power and Grounding

[Martin AA6E]

John,

Can you explain the concern with "reactive current" in
a nutshell?

Any equipment with a non-unity power factor (i.e.,
anything other than a pure resistive load) draws
reactive current -- i.e., the current is somewhat out
of phase with the applied voltage.  A pure C or L
produces a 90 degree phase shift, etc.

I don't see how this has much to do with the question
of grounding and RFI.  Of course you don't want to run
your gear from a circuit that has an air conditioner
or other heavy cyclical load (reactive or not) - but
that's because you don't want the switching transients
or the poor voltage regulation.

Utility companies worry about reactive current,
because it causes ohmic transmission losses without
delivering real power to the load and because it may
degrade network stability, AFAIK.

Am I missing something?  I agree that dedicated
circuits are a good thing, but I don't know about the
reactive angle.  (to coin a phrase)

73, Martin AA6E

--- N0KHQ at aol.com wrote:

> Hi Jim.
>  
> Read your White Paper on the subject topics.
>  
> I think that one thing that was over looked in your
> presentation was the  
> fact that;
>  
> On AC unbalanced wiring systems reactive currents
> (milliamp) are  dumped onto 
> the service neutrals and grounds. This reactive
> current is a result  of the 
> impedance's of the connected system loads. This
> issue causes havoc with  
> computers, ham radio receivers and sound
> reinforcement equipment.
>  
> Balanced AC Power systems do not suffer from this
> issue and is very  well 
> documented.
>  
> Many home owners are not aware of the above reactive
> currents issues.  Clean, 
> steady AC power systems are hard to come by. These
> systems are available,  
> but as you mentioned, they are very expensive.
> Furman Balanced AC Power Systems, 
>  depending on the amperage, are very expensive
> $1500+.
>  
> This is why I recommend to hams that a (one)
> dedicated 115vac  circuit and a 
> (one) dedicated 220vac (for Amp) be used to power
> their  ham radio equipment 
> and accessories. Properly fused and grounded of 
> coarse.
>  
> Nice paper. I have saved it for future reference.
>  
> Happy New Year.
>  
> John / N0KHQ
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