Acoustics  
 
CCI Solutions is your leader in Professional Audio, Lighting and Video Products
 
  cart Video checkout my account login about us contact us  
Sound
 
800 562-6006
 
Acoustics, Sound, Video, Lighting and Media Solutions
 
Acoustics, Sound, Video, Lighting and Media Solutions Sound, Video
& Lighting Equipment 		  Acoustics, Sound, Video, Lighting and Media Solutions Systems Consulting
& Integration		   Acoustics, Sound, Video, Lighting and Media Solutions CD / DVD Products
& Services		  
  Sound
Live Sound Recording Lighting Video Cables & Connectors Shop by Brand Training Materials Clearance Expert Advice
CCI Solutions > Expert Advice > Sound Systems > Eliminate Ground Loop Hum
Expert Advice

Sound Systems
 

Audio Snake Basics
 

Ceiling Speaker Placement
 

Channel Inserts
 

Are your drums too loud?
 

Feedback Control
 

Glossary
 

Portable Sound Tips
 

Rechargeable Batteries
 

Speaker Placement
 

Guitar Amps - Worship
 
•

Eliminate Hum
 

Avoid Wireless Problems
 
 
 

Microphones
 

Choir Miking
 

How to Handheld Mics
 

Microphone Basics II
 

Microphone Basics
 

AT 2110 Review
 

How Microphones Work
 

Stereo Mic Techniques
 
 
 

Video
 

ANSI vs. NITS
 

Projector Brightness
 

Projector Interface Options
 

Adding Visuals
 

What is a Scaler
 
 
 

Lighting
 

Patterns in Light
 

LED Lighting Overview
 

Which Light
 
 
 

Audio Recording
 

Do-it-Yourself Recording
 

Podcasting
 

Publishing a Podcast
 
 
 

Duplication & Media
 

Cassettes Are King
 

Cassette-i-quette
 

CD-R Q&A
 

DVD On Demand
 

DVD-R Q & A
 

Duplicator Cleaning
 

Choose a Duplicator
 

Erase a Cassette
 

Tape Ministry
 

DVD-R compatibility Issues
 
 
 

Installed Sound Equipment
 

Hanging Loudspeakers
 

Nursery Paging Systems
 
 
 

Listening & Translation
 

Hearing Enhancement Systems
 

Language Translation Systems
 
 
 

Projectors
 

Manage Heat in Projector
 

Projector Running Smoothly
 

Cleaning Projector Filter
 
 
 

In Ear Monitor System
 

In-Ear Monitors
 

Maximize In-Ear Monitors
 
 
 

Audio Signal Processing
 

The Vocal Channel Strip
 

Audio Compressor 2
 

Audio Compressor 2
 

Audio Compressor Solutions
 
 
 

Wireless Microphone Systems
 

Choosing Wireless Mic
 
 
 

Purchasing Options
 

Benefits of Leasing
 
 
 

Accessories
 

I love gaffers tape!
 
 
 

Media Services
 

Pre-printed CD-Rs Save
 
 

Eliminate Ground Loop Hum

Eliminate Ground Loop Hum

So you've got that annoying hum in your sound system. You aren't sure what it is and you may have just accepted that you'll never be rid of it. Don't despair! It's most likely a cabling issue that is allowing noise from the building's AC power lines into your equipment. Called ground loop hum, it's caused by a difference in electrical potential at grounding points. But what exactly does that mean? When you have more than one piece of equipment in your sound system connected to a common ground through different paths, like different outlets on the same circuit, you can get a ground loop. As current flows through your system, the ground loop creates a circuit for the current to flow from one unit's ground to a second unit and back to the first. This current then creates hum when it flows through the audio signal ground. So, now that you know what creates it, let's talk about how to break that ground loop so you can finally get rid of the hum.

The simple, inexpensive way to fix the ground hum is to plug the piece of equipment into a different outlet that is on a different circuit. Once you can identify which piece of equipment is causing the problem, this is the easiest fix. For example, if your keyboard on stage creates a hum when you plug it in, get an extension cord or move the keyboard so that it is not longer on the same circuit.

If changing the outlet isn't a workable answer, you'll need to add another piece of equipment to your system. You have some basic choices:

Adding a direct box, like the Rapco DB100, that has a dedicated ground lift on it to your system will break the ground loop and allow your guitarist or keyboard players to send a clean feed to the console without the hum. Or, you can use a product like the one from Ebtech properly named the Hum Eliminator, specifically created to break ground loops. Simply insert the Hum Eliminator between the offending pieces of equipment to break the ground loop and get rid of the hum. Both solutions work to correct ground loop antenna problems that are associated with audio signal cables connected to improperly grounded equipment. They isolate the shield of the cable from the equipment ground which helps to reduce or eliminate hum from the AC power used to run the system or other equipment in the building. We would recommend trying a quality direct box first. But if that doesn't work, the Hum Eliminator may do the job.

Breaking the ground loop is the key to removing hum, but we want to warn you against doing this by cutting the ground wire in your equipment. This may seem like an easy and logical fix, but it's dangerous and it is not the correct way to solve the ground loop problem.

Hopefully, you'll be able to solve your hum problems with one of the solutions listed above. If not, or if you want more information, please call our experts at 1-800-462-8664 and we'll be happy to work with you to find a solution that fits your needs.
   
 
  Showing 1 - 1 of 1 Products  
 
Ebtech HE-2  

Ebtech HE-2 Hum Eliminator

Hum Eliminator Interface Box, 2-Channel Hum Eliminator

The Ebtech HE-2 Hum Eliminator breaks ground loops that cause AC hum. Plug it into the signal lines between offending pieces of equipment. Works with balanced or unbalanced signals at either end. This 2 channel box Hum Eliminator is a good . . .
 
[More Info...]    ITEM NUMBER  EBT-HE-2
$64.99
List Price $99.00
Save 34% with CCI Solutions
 
Buy the Ebtech HE-2 Now
Showing 1 - 1 of 1      
 
 
For me, working with CCI Solutions makes a big difference. If I call some other place that isn't familiar with how churches operate, then I don't get solutions customized for my situation like I do at CCI!

Kelly Olp
Faith Chapel Foursquare

This Ultra-Light Sound System is Ready to Play in 60 Seconds

Did you konw that the Bose L1 Compact is so portable you can easily cary it in one hand? Thats right walk in carrying your PA system in one hand and your instrument in the other. You'll love being ready to play in just 60 seconds!
See more about the Bose L1 Compact PA System

 
 
      
 
3DayDiscs Try it Free infor@ccisolutions.com
Equipment Rentals CCI Savings Club
Equipment Repair Sound Theology Podcast 800.562.6006
System Design & Integration Worship Tools 360.943.5378
     
Fax 360.754.1566
Shopping Resources 1247 85th Avenue SE
Track My Order Olympia, WA 98501
My Account  
Privacy   Hours M-F 8-5 PST
 
 
 
® 2010 CCI Solutions All Rights Reserved