Handbook for Sound Engineers

Grounding and Interfacing 1217

Some exotic audio cables have very high capacitance
and can seriously degrade high-frequency response,
especially if cables are long and/or a consumer device
drives it. For demanding high-performance applications,
consider a low-capacitance, low-shield-resistance cable
such as Belden #8241F. Its 17 pF/ft capacitance allows

driving a 200 ft run from a typical 1 k: consumer

output while maintaining a –3 dB bandwidth of 50 kHz.

And its low 2.6 m:/ft shield resistance, equivalent to

#14 gauge wire, minimizes common-impedance

coupling. It’s also quite flexible and available in many

colors.

References

1. Grover, F. W., Inductance Calculations, New York: Van Nostrand, 1944, p. 35, eq. (7).


2. Ott, H., Noise Reduction Techniques in Electronic Systems, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1988, p. 116.


3. Davis, D. and C., Sound System Engineering, Second Edition, Focal Press, 1987, p. 382.


4. Audio Test Procedures, ATP1.1 through ATP1.4 and Appendix ATP.C, British Broadcasting Corporation, circa
   1978–1980.


5. Hess, R., Voltage Transmission for Audio Systems, Audio Engineering Society 67th Convention, 1980, Preprint
   #1708.


6. Ott, H., op. cit., p. 31.


7. Gerke, D., and Kimmel, W., Kimmel Gerke Bullets, Kimmel Gerke Associates, Summer 2000, p. 3.


8. Ott, H., op. cit., pp. 47–49.


9. Morrison, R., and Lewis, W., Grounding and Shielding in Facilities, New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1990, pp.
   144–145.


10. Gerke, D., and Kimmel, W., The Mysteries of Grounding, IEEE EMC Society Newsletter, Issue 178, Summer
    1998, pp. 13–14.


11. Morrison, R., and Lewis, W., op. cit., pp. 47–49.


12. Whitlock, B., “Surge Protection: The Enemy Within,” Sound & Video Contractor, July 1999, pp. 94–95.


13. Whitlock, B., “Ground Rods: Magical Noise Sinks?” Sound & Video Contractor, November 2000, pp. 102–103.


14. Whitlock, B., “Neutral Ground-Finding Swaps in Power Wiring,” Sound & Video Contractor, June 2001.


15. Denny, H., Grounding for the Control of EMI, Don White Consultants, Inc., Gainesville, VA, 1989, pp. 9.8–9.9.


16. Hiser, S., 1997 Electrocutions Associated with the Use of Consumer Products, U. S. Consumer Products Safety
    Commission, 2000, http://www.cpsc.gov


17. Mah, J. et al., 1997 Residential Fire Loss Estimates, U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, 2000,
    http://www.cpsc.gov.


18. Denny, H., op. cit., pp. 7.2–7.3.

Figure 32-61. Surge protection can actually invite equipment damage.