I have a Novatech 2901A 32Mhz synthesizer that increments in steps of 1Khz with digital readout from 200Khz to 32Megs. It's a cute little unit but occasionally gets locked up with a grossly distorted waveform and no frequency control. It does a self test when turned on and usually works fine, but sometimes doesn't boot up right, and other times goes into a spasm when I disconnect or reconnect the output using alligator clips. I was thinking it might be a grounding problem since I have the generator connected to a different power strip than the scope. Is it advisable to connect all the instruments to the same power strip to avoid problems like this?
-Bill
The GROUND must be interconnected.
Each instrument has a plus/minus supply voltage, or a direct mains
plug and a signal input or output.
The signal connectors have a HOT center pin and in most cases
the other pin is equal to GROUND. Those GROUND must be interconnected,
ground from the oscilloscope with ground from the signal generator
and with the ground from the circuit under test.
Sometimes one can connect the minus power also to ground,
but not always. Sometimes it is advisable to connect protective earth
from the mains also to the common ground potential.
I cannot recommend a general rule, because it depends on the
devices used and other circumstances.
If there is a good GROUND network, this will act as a reference point
or as reference area for electrostatic discharges and high frequency
noise. Often it is necessary to connect the framework of the workbench
also to protective earth from the mains.
The minimum thing to do is to connect all instruments to the same
protective grounding from the mains outlets.
Sounds like a wishy-washy recept, but the precise details of your
setup are impossible to know.
w.
