Hi! First thread and hopefully not the last
I guess this is a continuation of this thread: http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=32375
I am in the exact same situation as the OP above. I moved to Korea and I have a ton of American electronics that need 110/120V output, such as a plasma TV. I bought a 2kW step down (220-110V) transformer online, and so far I can confirm it does its job. Currently the only thing connected to it is the plasma TV.
But I noticed that while it accepts two American 3-prong grounded plugs on the secondary, the primary itself is not grounded and has a 2-lead plug for 220V. My knowledge of circuitry is still somewhat basic, but from what I know this seems like a floating transformer that Thyristor is talking about. And in theory, it should prevent any static charge buildup as there should be no ground leak.
The problem in my case is that when I was moving the TV, I felt a strong static buildup on the metal chassis of the TV. Maybe it's the HDMI connection to the VCR, which is connected natively to the 220V, that is causing a leak. The VCR's DC power supply doesn't have a ground connection, either.
So my question is: why is the TV getting a static charge buildup and should I modify the transformer so that the ground lead on the 110V jacks are actually connected to the mains ground so that it's no longer "floating?"
**edit**
Actually, I tested the TV now without the HDMI cable. There is no static when the transformer is off, but once it's on there is a noticeable charge on the chassis, regardless of the HDMI cable.
I guess this is a continuation of this thread: http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=32375
I am in the exact same situation as the OP above. I moved to Korea and I have a ton of American electronics that need 110/120V output, such as a plasma TV. I bought a 2kW step down (220-110V) transformer online, and so far I can confirm it does its job. Currently the only thing connected to it is the plasma TV.
But I noticed that while it accepts two American 3-prong grounded plugs on the secondary, the primary itself is not grounded and has a 2-lead plug for 220V. My knowledge of circuitry is still somewhat basic, but from what I know this seems like a floating transformer that Thyristor is talking about. And in theory, it should prevent any static charge buildup as there should be no ground leak.
The problem in my case is that when I was moving the TV, I felt a strong static buildup on the metal chassis of the TV. Maybe it's the HDMI connection to the VCR, which is connected natively to the 220V, that is causing a leak. The VCR's DC power supply doesn't have a ground connection, either.
So my question is: why is the TV getting a static charge buildup and should I modify the transformer so that the ground lead on the 110V jacks are actually connected to the mains ground so that it's no longer "floating?"
**edit**
Actually, I tested the TV now without the HDMI cable. There is no static when the transformer is off, but once it's on there is a noticeable charge on the chassis, regardless of the HDMI cable.