Which of the following is a symptom of a ground loop?

Study for the HART Protocol and 4–20 mA Loop Communication Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with each question offering hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a symptom of a ground loop?

Explanation:
Ground loops create a difference in electrical potential between the transmitter’s return path and the control system ground. That extra potential acts like an additional voltage in the loop, which in a 4–20 mA system shows up as a DC offset in the current. In other words, the process value might be correct, but the loop current is shifted, producing offset signals. A ground fault would be a direct short to ground, not just a shifted reading; stable readings imply little interference, and proper shielding reduces interference rather than producing a symptom.

Ground loops create a difference in electrical potential between the transmitter’s return path and the control system ground. That extra potential acts like an additional voltage in the loop, which in a 4–20 mA system shows up as a DC offset in the current. In other words, the process value might be correct, but the loop current is shifted, producing offset signals. A ground fault would be a direct short to ground, not just a shifted reading; stable readings imply little interference, and proper shielding reduces interference rather than producing a symptom.

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