Vinyl records are making a comeback, and with that comes the need for turntables. But if you’re new to the world of record players, you may be wondering if you need to ground your turntable.
The answer is not a simple yes or no. Depending on your setup, grounding your turntable may introduce a ground loop and hum. However, not grounding your turntable can also lead to unpleasant humming sounds.
Confused yet? Don’t worry, in this article we’ll break down what grounding means, when it’s necessary, and how to do it properly.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of turntable grounding.
Does A Turntable Need To Be Grounded
The short answer is that it depends on your setup. Grounding a turntable can help minimize or eliminate any humming sounds that may occur during playback. However, if your amplifier has a built-in phono preamp, grounding may not be necessary.
A ground loop is the result of a lack of grounding, which can cause the chassis connections to have different ground potential or voltage. This can lead to a humming sound that can be distracting and unpleasant.
If your turntable comes with a ground wire, it’s a surefire sign that it needs to be grounded. However, if your turntable has a built-in phono preamp and you’ve never had any sound issues, you may not need to ground it.
To determine if your turntable needs to be grounded, you can listen for the hum. A ground loop hum is typically 120 hertz, while other hums are 60 hertz. You can also try adjusting the volume and switching inputs to see if the hum changes.
If you do need to ground your turntable, it’s important to do it correctly to avoid introducing any additional noise or interference. The process involves connecting a wire from the turntable’s chassis to the amplifier’s grounding point.
What Is Turntable Grounding?
Turntable grounding is a process that involves connecting a wire from the turntable’s chassis to the amplifier’s grounding point. The purpose of this connection is to minimize or eliminate any humming sounds that may occur during playback, which can be caused by a lack of grounding.
It’s important to note that not all turntables require grounding. If your turntable has a built-in phono preamp and you’ve never had any sound issues, you may not need to ground it. However, if your turntable comes with a ground wire, it’s a surefire sign that it needs to be grounded.
Grounding a turntable is essential to redirect unneeded current away from the current loop to avoid overloading your system. An ungrounded turntable causes the listener to hear a loud, unpleasant humming sound. This is because the chassis connections can have different ground potential or voltage, leading to a ground loop.
To determine if your turntable needs to be grounded, you can listen for the hum. A ground loop hum is typically 120 hertz, while other hums are 60 hertz. You can also try adjusting the volume and switching inputs to see if the hum changes.
If you do need to ground your turntable, it’s important to do it correctly to avoid introducing any additional noise or interference. This involves connecting an insulated 18-22 gauge AWG wire from the turntable’s metal chassis to the amplifier’s metal body using gaffer tape or attaching it to the amplifier’s grounding point if available. It’s better to have separate ground wires and not depend on signal carrying grounds in audio cables. The ground currents are then kept away from signals, thus reducing the chance of hum.
Why Is Turntable Grounding Important?
Turntable grounding is important because it helps to ensure that the turntable and amplifier are at the same ground potential. This means that any voltage or electrical current that passes between the two devices will be consistent and not cause any interference or humming sounds.
Without proper grounding, a small difference in ground potential can cause a ground loop, which is when an alternating current passes between the turntable and amplifier along the audio cables. This can result in an audible 60-cycle hum that can be heard through the speakers.
Grounding your turntable is especially important if you have inter-connected equipment with more than one electrical path to the ground. This can ultimately cause extra noise, which can be amplified by the sensitivity of the turntable’s delicate cartridge.
In addition to minimizing humming sounds, proper turntable grounding also helps to maintain safety when using the device. It prevents any electrical currents from coming into contact with the chassis and potentially causing harm to the user.
When Is Turntable Grounding Necessary?
Turntable grounding is necessary when there is a potential for ground loop, which can cause a humming sound during playback. This is especially true for turntables without a built-in phono preamp. If your turntable comes with a ground wire, it’s a clear indication that it needs to be grounded.
However, even if your turntable does not come with a ground wire, it’s still possible that grounding may be necessary. This is because some budget-friendly turntables have an internal preamp that eliminates the need for an external amplifier and a ground wire. To determine if your turntable needs to be grounded, you can listen for the hum and try adjusting the volume and switching inputs.
Grounding your turntable correctly is important to avoid introducing additional noise or interference. This involves connecting a wire from the turntable’s chassis to the amplifier’s grounding point. If your turntable does not have a ground wire, you can use an insulated 18-22 gauge AWG wire to create the connection.
How To Properly Ground Your Turntable
To properly ground your turntable, you will need to follow a few simple steps. First, turn off both your turntable and amplifier to avoid electric shock or unwanted noise. Next, locate the grounding wire on your turntable. If your turntable doesn’t have one, you can use an insulated wire instead.
Once you have the grounding wire on hand, locate the grounding terminal on your amplifier or receiver. This is usually marked as “ground” and can be found on the back of the unit. The grounding terminal is typically a metal post with a simple screw terminal or a knurled shaft. Loosen the grounding terminal once you’ve located it.
Ensure that the grounding wire can reach your amplifier’s grounding terminal. If it can’t, move your equipment to minimize the distance between the amplifier and turntable. If you need to create your own grounding wire, strip about 6 to 8 mm of insulation from both ends of an electrical cable and attach one stripped end to the chassis screw on the amplifier and the other stripped end to the chassis screw on the turntable.
Once you have connected the grounding wire to the amplifier’s grounding terminal, slip the ground wire spade connector onto the terminal and tighten it enough to be sturdy but not too tight. If your amplifier doesn’t have a grounding terminal, you can use gaffer tape to stick the grounding wire’s copper spade connector onto the amp’s metal box. Make sure it’s secure enough so that it won’t disconnect.
After connecting everything, turn on your turntable and test it out to see if there is any hum. If there is no hum, then you have successfully grounded your turntable. However, if there is still a humming sound, try adjusting the volume and switching inputs to see if the hum changes.
Common Issues With Turntable Grounding And How To Troubleshoot Them
While grounding a turntable can help improve sound quality, there are some common issues that can arise during the process. Here are some potential problems and how to troubleshoot them:
1. Ground wire not included: If your turntable didn’t come with a ground wire, you’ll need to purchase one separately. Look for a wire with a spade connector on one end and a fork connector on the other. Connect the spade end to the turntable’s grounding terminal and the fork end to the amplifier’s grounding point.
2. Poor connection: If you’re still experiencing humming after grounding your turntable, it’s possible that the connection isn’t secure. Check to make sure that the wire is tightly connected at both ends.
3. Multiple ground points: If you have multiple components in your setup that require grounding, it’s important to make sure they’re all connected to the same grounding point. This will prevent any potential ground loops from occurring.
4. Interference: If you’re still experiencing humming or interference after grounding your turntable, try moving it away from other electronic devices or sources of interference. You can also try using shielded cables or a power conditioner to minimize any potential interference.
By troubleshooting these common issues, you can ensure that your turntable is properly grounded and producing high-quality sound.
Alternatives To Turntable Grounding
If your turntable doesn’t have a ground wire, or if you’re unable to ground it for any reason, there are some alternative methods that you can try to minimize or eliminate the humming sound.
One option is to use a ground loop isolator. This device is designed to break the ground loop by inserting a transformer between the turntable and the amplifier. This can be an effective solution, but it can also introduce some additional noise or distortion into the signal.
Another option is to use a different outlet for your turntable and amplifier. Sometimes, plugging both devices into the same outlet can cause a ground loop. By using separate outlets, you may be able to eliminate the hum.
You can also try using shielded cables for your turntable and amplifier. These cables are designed to reduce interference and noise, which may help minimize the hum.
Finally, you can try moving your turntable and amplifier to a different location in your home. Sometimes, electrical wiring or other devices in your home can cause interference that leads to a ground loop. By moving your setup to a different room or location, you may be able to eliminate the hum.
Overall, while grounding is an important step in minimizing humming sounds from your turntable, there are alternative methods that you can try if grounding is not possible or effective.
