rdunhamtn(at)hotmail.com
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 Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:03 am Post subject: Ground vs Return |
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Barry,
As a physician, I am confronted with this "ground loop" versus "return loop"
versus "assymetrical supply and ground" debate but in a different form.
It goes something like this...
The patient reports (some say "complains of", see, it starts already) runny
nose, fever, aching all over and various other symptoms. I examine the
patient and diagnose "Respiratory Tract Infection". Until recently this was
called "Upper Respiratory Infection" and, in fact, still is by most "in the
business". The patient says, "Is this a 'Sinus Infection' Doc?" To which I
reply, "Yes." You must understand that the patient does NOT have a Sinus
infection as defined by a board certified Otorhinolaryngologist! But, it's
close enough and everybody knows that what I meant was RTI, and everybody is
happy and no harm is done to the patient, the doctor, the general populace
or the medical community at large!
The patient is not a doctor. So, hammering out the differences of
nomenclature serves absolutely no purpose. Further, I know what the problem
is based on symptoms and I know how to fix it which I promptly do. Isnt'
THAT the purpose of this activity???
Now, I'm just a lowly physician, not an EE or any other kind of engineer
except a shade tree HE (that's Human Engineer to those not quite following
this thought). But I consider myself among the lucky ones that has studied
Nuckolls and others and know enough to diagnose and treat a few electrical
issues. Like most on this list, I understand (even in my ignorance) that
airplanes cannot be attached to THE ground and therefore do not have a REAL
ground. I understand that the battery negative terminal is the source of all
electrons into the system and the positive terminal receives all of them
back. I understand that there are multiple points of egress out of the wires
after they leave their many branches from the battery minus terminal and
multiple points on ingress as they make their way back to the positive
terminal. And that differences in potential exist because all wires have
some measure of resistance, not being "perfect" conductors. Like Greg
Righter (and maybe you?), I think that the whole idea of "ground" should be
scrapped in favor of the simpler and more correct concept of "return".
BUT...
Since we all understand the basic physics of electrons, there's no harm and
no foul to call a return a "ground" so long as we don't make errors in our
thinking due to that "improper" nomenclature. If and when these errors are
noted, I for one would appreciate a GENTLE reminder of the physics and a
rudimentary lesson on the topic. That's what we're all here for. And that
could be your very valuable contribution to this community. I, for one,
think you have a lot to offer, but the TONE brother. The TONE! Forget tha
Yamashithead stuff. We're on your side. We WANT to learn. You seem to have a
yen to teach. That seems like a perfect match to me. Let's get on with it
like gentlemen!
Rodney in Tennessee
DO NOT ARCHIVE
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