> All of my hamshack equipment is on a single outlet. This has me > wondering whether a good quality connection between the entry panel > SPG and the neutral *at the outlet* (it is less than two feet from > the entry panel) would approach or achieve the objective of helping > everything to rise and fall together.
In the U.S., tying the service entry common ground/neutral bond back to the shack outlet neutral is a code violation. However, I see nothing in the NEC that prohibits an alternate grounding conductor to be added to the ground screw on a receptacle. Still, I wouldn't do this unless you have reason to believe there's a high resistance between the receptacle ground point and the serving panel. If you're going through the trouble of adding a ground conductor, I would studying code-compliant station grounding methods as shown on the K9YC and W8JI websites. After establishing an effective station ground and if there's still a concern relating to the rise and fall potential created by surges on the grounding conductor in the shack, consider adding a whole-house surge suppressor only at the main entrance panel and not a sub-panel. Also, the best method of adding secondary surge suppression on a branch circuit is not through the use of so-called "three modes of protection" MOV devices. Instead, consider using only single-mode to neutral protection. The better units store the surge energy through a high C component and bleed the surge to neutral, rather than ground. They're expensive units. SurgeX and Brickwall are two manufacturers using this technology. Paul, W9AC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
