Why do high-voltage DC power supplies need to be grounded? How to ground?
1. Why should the high-voltage DC power supply be "grounded"?
"Output high voltage power supply to ground" usually has only one high voltage output connector. Usually, the other end of the high voltage loop opposite the high voltage output in the high voltage power supply is connected to the power box. In the application, the high voltage power supply box must be connected to the system ground through a special safety ground cable. High voltage power supplies are designed to output to ground. The aim is to simplify design and facilitate manufacturing. All control signals and detection signals are grounded, which is more convenient to use. You cannot use two or more high voltage power supplies with their outputs grounded, and you cannot stack them by stacking them in series to form a high voltage power supply with a higher output voltage. The high voltage output to ground cannot be connected to other voltage sources or other reference voltages.
2. How to "ground" the high-voltage DC power supply?
A good grounding of the high voltage power supply is very important. There is no ideal ground. There are many grounding methods. The pitch is good or bad depending on how you do it. Overhauling the grounding system is more important than repairing a poor grounding system. It's much easier. The grounding problem cannot be analyzed and solved independently of other problems. The following is the method to realize the "grounding" of the high-voltage DC power supply.
First, choose a good ground reference point. Good grounding points can be metal pipes for water systems, metal heating pipes, underground pipes for power lines, metal framing of buildings, or special ground connections for buildings. Use a thick wire to connect the ground terminal of the high voltage power supply or an appropriate ground terminal directly to the ground reference point of your choice. Ground remains the common reference point for high-voltage DC power supplies.
Another important point about grounding is the load loop grounding issue: the output end of the high-voltage power supply is connected to an appropriate load, and the other end of the load should return to the grounding end of the high-voltage power supply to form a closed loop, and this loop needs to be directly connected with a thick wire. This is the only way to ensure that large transient arc currents have a known loop so that they do not affect other equipment referenced to ground.
