Hi Myles,

Let's just cut to the chase with some selective editing:

On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 16:14:21 GMT, ml wrote:

Any violation of this last rule brings grief.
Such violations are legion and few escape.

(presume my electrical gnd is ok on the aka 3prong plug)

B I N G O !

You have won the traditional violation of the rule. This is the
meaning of "legion," there are many, many, many such examples. Those
who violate this rule are often blindsided by other violations along
the way.

What is the third prong of the 3 prong plug for? Most would say
ground (and be blindsided to the complete term being "safety" ground).
The 3rd prong is not designed to be current carrying in the
conventional sense, only in the safety sense when the neutral wire or
hot wire becomes exposed to the device user (basically forcing a short
circuit that then opens through a blown fuse).

So, you have TWO paths to ground:
1. Through neutral;
2. through safety ground.

The question becomes:
"What is the quality of it being RF ground?"
Answer:
"Neither 1 nor 2 above were ever considered
in those terms. Hence the quality of their being
RF ground is unknown and the presumption of being
poor examples is a reasonable expectation."

The next question becomes:
"Why do I need their ground proximity?"
Answer:
"You don't - unless...."

Unless
1. You are powering off the Mains;
2. Powering off battery that is being recharged off the Mains.

Both numbers 1 & 2 are a frequent blindside to those attempting to
isolate ground loops.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC