Floating ground refers to a circuit's ground potential reference point that is galvanically isolated from actual earth ground. While grounded systems tie the circuit's return to earth for safety or stability, a floated system allows the entire circuit potential to "float" relative to earth.
This configuration is widely used in high-precision voltage measurement to enhance sensitivity and in noise reduction applications to eliminate ground loops. It is also essential in telecommunications, high-voltage power supply circuits, and systems where galvanic isolation is required--often achieved via an isolation transformer. Devices physically disconnected from earth ground, such as battery-operated instruments and aircraft systems, naturally operate on a floating ground.
Matsusada Options
Matsusada Precision offers a floating ground option for select DC and high-voltage power supply products. This feature enables precise load current and voltage measurement by isolating the signal from earth ground noise and preventing ground loops, which can otherwise introduce common-mode noise and measurement errors.
Examples of products available with a floating ground option:
- • AK series
- • AKP series
- • AUH series
- • DOS series
Floating Power Supplies
In high-voltage systems, "floating" refers to a secondary circuit where the reference potential is isolated from earth ground and biased to a high voltage. For instance, power supplies for X-ray tube filaments and electrostatic lenses in electron microscopes operate at a high floating potential.
Matsusada Precision manufactures Floating Power Supplies specifically designed for these applications. These DC-DC converters employ advanced isolation technologies--similar in principle to the galvanic isolation provided by an isolation transformer--to ensure high isolation voltage. This ensures safe and reliable operation even when the entire output stage is biased to a high potential.
DC Power Supply Output Configuration
Standard DC power supplies typically connect the negative output terminal to the chassis ground using a shorting bar. For floating operation, this shorting bar must be removed to isolate the output from the chassis.
(Standard Positive Output)
(Standard Negative Output)
(Isolated Output)
Important Precautions:
Floating configurations vary by product model and may not be guaranteed for all units. Removing the shorting bar can affect safety and EMI performance. Please consult the product datasheet or manual before modification.
See the links below for usage examples of "floating power supplies" and explanations of related terms.