Lexikon Masse specifications

Category : Lexicon

In an electrical circuit, the ground is usually the common reference point for the measured voltages. From a mental point of view, the mass is understood as a conductive body that lies on the same electrical potential everywhere. The term "mass" suggests an extended, heavy and inert body, which is actually the case in practice on various occasions. In vehicles, for example, the metal chassis and the sheet metal body are usually used as electrical ground. In Hi-fi devices, the housing is also often part of the mass.

The idea that every point of the mass is at the same electrical potential is convenient, but unfortunately not always correct. Since currents can flow in the ground, potential differences can also occur, and in certain cases this can have undesirable consequences for the function of the electronic circuit, such as the coupling of interference signals. Therefore, attempts are being made to limit the paths that such flows can take. For this purpose, the one uniform mass is separated into different masses, which are either not connected to each other at all, or only connected via a single, precisely determined line. The different masses sometimes have their own names, depending on the purpose they fulfill:

Depending on the device, the mass can be further diversified and structured internally, always with the aim of separating the path that the individual currents take in it as far as possible from each other.