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Is it OK to have different voltage sources with the same ground?
I'm going to have two different voltage sources. One is already a well-rectified and smoothed 12Vdc voltage source, and the other will be 220Vdc rectified but not smoothed voltage source. My question is if it is OK to have the same ground or not. The reason I'm asking is that that the circuit components are interconnected and I need a common ground for everything.
By the way, the 220Vdc is not smoothed because I have yet to find a capacitor with large enough voltage and capacitance (even in parallel) that is 2-poled in my country (I have 4 poled capacitors but I honestly don't know how to work with them).
@Philomel That's what I thought too, that maybe it would be a simple short circuit. But when I tested it, it didn't give out any beep. It even acted as an open circuit between the poles. The thing is that they have -, +, 2 and 3. I honestly don't know which is connected to what, that's why I don't want to take the risk and potentially blow up capacitors in my face :P.
@Jim Yes, I did see many of those online, but like I said, the problem is in my country. We are currently suffering hyperinflation and undergoing a huge economic crisis, so even considering buying from outside is pretty much out of the question.
3 Answers
- qrkLv 77 months agoFavourite answer
Yes and no. Grounding (common supply rail) is a difficult subject to master and many have fallen in to the trap thinking ground is ground.
The two grounds can be connected, but the ripple current of the higher voltage should not influence your 12V region if you have sensitive circuits in the 12V area. You can have your 220V supply ground in one zone and your 12V supply ground in another zone. You tie the two ground zones with a single conductor.
- PhilomelLv 77 months ago
Yes you can ground them together.
You can handle the capacitor problem by tying 2 poles together. 2 poles are on the same plate. Tie them together.
You can stack capacitors up to handle the voltage.
If you stack 4 1000uf-120vcaps, 2 wide by 2 deep,You get 1000uf at 240v.
- JimLv 77 months ago
Having a common ground is fine.
I searched for capacitors and found thousands instantly. $10 was common
