What is the purpose of having an “isolated ground” outlet supply power to my electronics? What is the origin of this requirement and do I need them?
An isolated ground is an attempt at creating a Neutral to Ground voltage condition of ideally 0 (zero) Volts. A true isolated ground circuit, one which has a dedicated, uninterrupted ground path to Physical Earth, is not actually allowed by the National Electric Code. All Grounds are to be bonded at the service entrance. Two separate Ground paths is an electrical hazard to humans. The “Isolated Ground” or more correctly the “Orange Outlets” you may have just have their grounds bonded at the “farthest” physical point in the electrical infrastructure. Well, this opens the doors for ground loops and inductive couplance for both Neutral and Ground. Leveler has examined many so-called IG outlets at customer sites, only to uncover that they are no better than a correctly wired regular service outlet.
