Can someone explain the "ground switch" to me?

Rizo · November 18th, 2005, 01:28 PM

Since the Princeton I just bought comes with the old 2 prong cord can someone explain the ground switch on the back to me? What does it do? What is each position for? And when I eventually have a 3-prong cord added what will be removed?

z8894 · November 18th, 2005, 02:47 PM

Flipping the ground switch is equivalent to unplugging the 2 prong power cord from the wall, turning it over and plugging it back in.
Here is an article on how to replace what you have with a 3 prong cord.

http://www.unclespot.com/2to3prongconversion.html

Rizo · November 18th, 2005, 03:39 PM

Thanks Z, so I should just put it in whatever positions is the quietest (noise-wise)?

z8894 · November 18th, 2005, 04:25 PM

Yes, that's it. It's best/safest to convert to a 3 prong cord though. It's cheap and easy to do. You can get a cord and strain relief for less than $10. To properly install it you should use heyco strain releif pliers. However regular pliers and a lot of determination will work too.

jjmantele · November 18th, 2005, 11:05 PM

Flipping the ground switch does not change the polarity of the input from the wall. There is a cap soldered to the chassis. The other end of that cap goes to the switch. The switch connects that end of the cap to either:

Input leg A or Input leg B or Nothing. Nothing being the middle position if it has one. The purpose is to reduce noise from the line.

Have it removed when the 3 pronger is added. It is called the "death cap" because if it goes bad by shorting out, it can put wall voltage on your chassis.

Rizo · November 19th, 2005, 07:06 PM

I'm definately going to have the cord replaced and the cap removed when the tech does a checkup I just wanted to be clear on what was going on.

I also wanted to know because the tech can't get to it right away. I thought I might try it out with the old cord on there just to make sure that everything was working (just temporaily of course) and wanted to make sure the swith was in the right position.

November 18th, 2005, 01:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	Can someone explain the "ground switch" to me? Since the Princeton I just bought comes with the old 2 prong cord can someone explain the ground switch on the back to me? What does it do? What is each position for? And when I eventually have a 3-prong cord added what will be removed? __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

November 18th, 2005, 03:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	Thanks Z, so I should just put it in whatever positions is the quietest (noise-wise)? __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

November 18th, 2005, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
jjmantele Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 851	Ground Switch Flipping the ground switch does not change the polarity of the input from the wall. There is a cap soldered to the chassis. The other end of that cap goes to the switch. The switch connects that end of the cap to either: Input leg A or Input leg B or Nothing. Nothing being the middle position if it has one. The purpose is to reduce noise from the line. Have it removed when the 3 pronger is added. It is called the "death cap" because if it goes bad by shorting out, it can put wall voltage on your chassis. __________________ JJman If it says "Vintage" on it -it isn't.

November 19th, 2005, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	I'm definately going to have the cord replaced and the cap removed when the tech does a checkup I just wanted to be clear on what was going on. I also wanted to know because the tech can't get to it right away. I thought I might try it out with the old cord on there just to make sure that everything was working (just temporaily of course) and wanted to make sure the swith was in the right position. __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

November 18th, 2005, 02:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
z8894 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, Ga. Age: 43 Posts: 116	Flipping the ground switch is equivalent to unplugging the 2 prong power cord from the wall, turning it over and plugging it back in. Here is an article on how to replace what you have with a 3 prong cord. http://www.unclespot.com/2to3prongconversion.html

November 18th, 2005, 04:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
z8894 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, Ga. Age: 43 Posts: 116	Yes, that's it. It's best/safest to convert to a 3 prong cord though. It's cheap and easy to do. You can get a cord and strain relief for less than $10. To properly install it you should use heyco strain releif pliers. However regular pliers and a lot of determination will work too.