Chapter 3

Question 1

What are the two main types of signal sources used in analog input acquisitions?

Answer 1

Grounded and floating signal sources.

Question 2

How is a grounded signal source defined?

Answer 2

It is a source in which voltage signals are referenced to a system ground, such as earth or a building ground.

Question 3

What is a common example of a grounded signal source?

Answer 3

Devices like signal generators and power supplies that plug into a building ground

Question 4

What is the issue with grounded signal source?

Answer 4

A ground loop, which occurs due to the difference in potential of 2 independent sources connected to the same ground. The difference creates a current path between them and introduces unwanted noise.

Question 5

What are floating signal sources?

Answer 5

Signal sources where the voltage signal is not referenced to a common ground, such as earth or a building ground.

Question 6

Give examples of floating signal sources.

Answer 6

Batteries, thermocouples, transformers, and isolation amplifiers.