Grounding Rigol oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: janengelbrecht
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2014, 02:23:35 pm
content: My Rigol oscilloscope was sold by Conrad with this mains plug (German standard) :But in Denmark we use this kind of standard:. So the cruel reality is the scope is not grounded when you plug it in. There is adapters...i know...but nowhere in any material from Conrad do they mention there is a problem. So what i want to know is: do rigol oscilloscopes has an isolation transformer so that you wont experience live on BNC/Chassis ?Im not sure its legal at all to sell equipment from a danish Conrad website with this kind of mains plug....will dig into that subject

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 17, 2014, 03:21:09 pm
content: Don't use adaptors just get an appropriate IEC C13 lead with your country's plug on the end, they come free with PC powersupplies etc, I have drawers full of them.Conrad is a German company so will just come with a EU lead, Batronix is the same they ship everything with an EU cable.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2014, 04:35:54 pm
content: Quote from: janengelbrecht on November 17, 2014, 02:23:35 pm10 seconds with a multimeter will tell you this...(Or you can watch the teardown video).I'm sure you must be able to find a lead that fits. Most people who own electronic goods have a drawer full of them.

author: janengelbrecht
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 12:00:07 am
content: Question really is...if i change the mains plug...do i violate my warranty conditions from Conrad ? hmm

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 02:37:07 am
content: Maybe your mains outlets are just old. Last time I was in Denmark I've seen lots of Shuko outlets (the ones used in most parts of Europe nowadays). I'd get the scope properly grounded because without there is probably 110V AC on the chassis due to the filtering capacitors in the mains filter. You can zap a chip with it.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 07:17:53 am
content: Quote from: janengelbrecht on November 17, 2014, 02:23:35 pmMostly yes, but all types are legal now and earth is not important, because all installations are supposed to have a GFI relay.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 07:32:27 am
content: Quote from: janengelbrecht on November 18, 2014, 12:00:07 amYou don't need to change mains plug. You just need to use another cable.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 07:34:51 am
content: Quote from: HKJ on November 18, 2014, 07:17:53 amStill not good to poke around with a probe where GND terminal is bouncing at half of the mains voltage.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 10:13:33 am
content: Quote from: HKJ on November 18, 2014, 07:17:53 amVery wrong! Regulations say a device with a metal casing must be grounded for safety reasons.

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 10:48:16 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 18, 2014, 10:13:33 amI Totally Agree!

author: janengelbrecht
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 11:32:04 am
content: hehe really there is no problemi just use an adapter because ...well i have oneBut i think it ought to he illegal to sell equipment for use with with mains / 230V AC in a country with the wrong kind of plugs.....well it isnt i now realise.....in many cases ...when we are talking washing machines and that kind of equipment you just cant switch cables.....and the consumer will in many cases not realise that there are no ground connection...well...the plug fits...just no ground connection...when the machine works you will not think of this ground connection...until....well the day Murphy arrives

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2014, 02:38:17 pm
content: Not Murphy, DARWIN!