Floating ground is a ground potential reference in a circuit that is galvanically isolated from the actual earth ground.
Floating ground is an electrical term used in electrical measurements, noise reduction by eliminating ground loops, transformers, telecommunications, and special high-voltage power circuits. Many electrical measurement devices are used with floating grounds to allow for more sensitive and precise measurements. Circuits in situations where it is physically impossible to connect to earth ground potential, such as battery-operated electronic devices and aircraft, can also be described as floating ground.
Matsusada Precision offers a floating ground option for some of our DC and high voltage power supply products. This is provided for very accurate measurement of load current.
Example of a product offering a floating ground option:
A "floating ground" in a high-voltage power circuit refers to a separate power circuit that operates on the high voltage. For example, filaments and electrostatic lenses used in electron microscopes and X-ray tube electron guns are power supplies with floating grounds.
Matsusada Precision manufactures power supplies that can be used with high-voltage floating grounds (floating power supplies). Floating power supplies are galvanically isolated DC-DC converters with enhanced isolation performance for use in high-voltage floating.
DC power supply output
Typically, in DC power supplies with positive output, negative output, and a ground terminal, the negative output and chassis ground (GND) terminal are connected with a short bar. If you need to use the output with a floating ground, remove this short bar.
(positive power supply)
(negative power supply)
(floating power supply)
Important Precautions:
Depending on the product, operation may differ and floating operation may not be guaranteed. Removing the grounding short bar may affect safety and EMI performance.
For examples of the use of "floating power supplies," which are power supplies compatible with floating ground, and explanations of terms such as "floating," click here.