Crystal set earth.

[frank rabbets]

I'm building a crystal set with my grandson. It needs an earth. I had thought of connecting it to the earth pin on a 13 amp plug but then realised the house has a PME system and I think under such system the earth circuit in the house is connected to the neutral overhead cable. Will this earth the crystal set or do I need an earth rod?

Thanks.

 

[Towpack]

In short, yes, it will provide an earth. Earth is earth but, for RF reception, it could be “noisy”. As it’s a crystal powered set with no mains connection a separate earth (rod etc) could work better or some ferrite rings in the earth wire if you do use the house electrical earth will help to reduce any mains induced noise.