Every turntable or record player requires electrical grounding, but it must be grounded correctly to the amplifier to avoid any issue that can cause an annoying hum and distortion in the audio system. Thus, our audio experts share in this guide the tips on grounding turntables correctly.
Why Ground Your Turntable?
Though it may not make an immediate difference, grounding your turntable is very important. Since a turntable is an electronic device housed in a conductive metal exterior or chassis, precautions should be taken even if all the electrical parts are isolated from the metal casing.
Some safety measures are set in place within the casing, but all these measures may fail, causing the electric current to come into contact with the metal turntable chassis and resulting in dangerous accidents.
If this happens, it will pose a risk of electric shock to anyone that touches the metal casing and cause an undesirable condition called a “ground loop”. A ground loop is when the turntable will begin to emit an annoying humming sound.
However, ground loops can be easily avoided by grounding. Hence, you should ground your turntable properly to the amplifier to avoid annoying hum and distortions and enjoy the best sound quality and performance from your turntable.
Materials and Tools
Luckily, learning how to ground a turntable to the amplifier is not a difficult thing to do. For proper grounding, our team recommends that you have the following materials and tools:
- Grounding wire - this often comes with the turntable, but if your turntable doesn’t have a grounding wire, you can use insulated 18-22 gauge AWG wire of about 5ft. (1.5m)
- Grounding terminal - this is usually attached to the amplifier, but if your amplifier doesn’t have a grounding terminal, there is a workaround.
- Gaffer tape - you need this if your amplifier doesn’t come with a grounding terminal.
- Needle-nose pliers
Steps to Ground Your Record Player
Step #1: Disable Power on Your Turntable
The first step on how to ground a turntable successfully is making sure that you turn off the power on your turntable, as well as on your amplifier. This will prevent loud noises from either the turntable or amplifier and save you from any risk of electric shock during the grounding process.
Step #2: Search for the Grounding Terminal on Amplifier
The next step involves searching for the amplifier’s grounding terminal. It’s usually at the back of the amplifier and should be marked “ground” so you can’t miss it. The ground terminal is a metal post with either a simple screw terminal or a knurled shaft. Once you’ve found it, loosen it.
However, if your amplifier doesn’t have a grounding terminal, you can connect the grounding cable from the turntable to the actual body of the amplifier.
Step #3: Check the Distance Between the Turntable Wire and Grounding Terminal
Search for the turntable’s grounding wire. Most turntable grounding wires are green and are typically connected underneath the metal turntable chassis. The color of turntable grounding wires is not very important to focus on. The grounding wires usually have an unconnected copper spade connector ending.
If you have a new turntable, you can find the grounding wire folded underneath the chassis and covered with a twist tie. If you can’t find the grounding wire, an insulated 18-20 gauge stranded wire will suffice.
Ensure that the grounding wire or the alternative is long enough to connect to the ground terminal. Otherwise, you need to move both devices closer together to minimize the distance.
Step #4: Connect
Now that everything is set, it’s time to ground the turntable to the amplifier. If there is a grounding wire already connected to the turntable, simply take out the twist tie and let the unconnected copper spade connector of the grounding wire connect to the amplifier’s grounding terminal.
Tighten the ground wire spade connector gently and with a moderate force. Make sure the connection is tightly fitted. If there is no grounding wire or ground terminal, use the insulated 18-22 gauge AWG wire.
With the needle-nose pliers, strip off about 6mm to 8mm of the insulated wire on both ends. Use the gaffer tape to stick one stripped end of the wire to the metal cover of the turntable (you might find a free screw on the body of the turntable to attach the wire to). Use the gaffer tape also to connect the other stripped end to the amplifier’s metal box.
Step #5: Plug and Turn On the Turntable
Now, after you have completed the process of grounding your turntable to your amplifier, plug and turn on the turntable and amplifier and enjoy a hum-free music experience from your audio system.
(If you are new to setting up turntables, you can initially follow the steps on how you can integrate turntable to a receiver here)
FAQ
How to ground a turntable without a ground wire?
Grounding a turntable without a ground wire is pretty easy. Simply get an insulated 18-22 gauge AWG wire. There is no specific length as long as the wire is long enough to connect both turntable and amplifier.
Carefully strip off both ends of the wire (you can use a razor or small knife, but it’s fine to use needle-nose pliers. Connect one end of the bare wire to the metal chassis of the turntable and the other stripped end to the amplifier’s metal body using a gaffer tape.
For the connection to work effectively at eliminating hum, it’s better to find the right chassis connections that create the best connection.
Do you have to ground a record player?
Yes, you have to ground a record player. Two things may likely occur if you don’t ground your turntable. The first is “Ground Loop,” [1] which can ultimately cause your turntable to emit annoying hum, distortion, and extra noise. The second is you’re exposed to the risk of electric shock when you touch the turntable.
How long can a turntable ground wire be?
There is no standard length for a turntable ground wire, although a of 5ft (1.5m) length should work, there is no standard length for a turntable ground wire. It’s recommended to set up your new turntable and amplifier as close to each other as possible.
Conclusion
Grounding your turntable or a record player is very important and requires deep understanding to maintain your safety when using it. This prevents a ground loop when equipment is not at the same ground potential. Learning how to ground a turntable well can be very useful. We hope our experts have provided everything you need to successfully do it.
For reliable turntable products to play with your vinyl records, you can check the list here:
