Does signal ground have to be connected to actual ground, or does it simply need to be a common node? I have a number of "floating grounds" in my schematic (denoted by the upside-down triangle) and also actual grounds (on Arduino; denoted by lines slanted to the left). I assume they are distinct, and I'm guessing I have to connect all of the signal grounds together but I don't know if they need to also be connected to "earth" ground.
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2\$\begingroup\$ In your schematic?…Where is it? An example would go nicely with the question. \$\endgroup\$– DeanCommented Apr 10, 2014 at 14:13
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1\$\begingroup\$ DO NOT connect grounds together if they have been isolated by a transformer or an optical isolator. This could be very dangerous. \$\endgroup\$– Joe HassCommented Apr 10, 2014 at 14:26
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\$\begingroup\$ Please read our previous question What is ground and what does it do? and then come back and ask if something is still not clear. \$\endgroup\$– The PhotonCommented Apr 10, 2014 at 16:11
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\$\begingroup\$ Also Difference between negative terminal and copper ground? \$\endgroup\$– The PhotonCommented Apr 10, 2014 at 16:15
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2 Answers
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You have to connect all grounds together. Unless you're pulling 120VAC or 240VAC, you should have no need to connect those to "earth" ground.
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3\$\begingroup\$ Except that when grounds are intentionally isolated using optical couplers or transformers they should not be connected together. \$\endgroup\$– Joe HassCommented Apr 10, 2014 at 14:24
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If you have several independent circuits, for example a circuit built up on a wireless breadboard with its own power, the ground on those separate circuits needs to be connected back to the Arduino or main board whatever that might be, if you want the boards to "talk" to each other.
Assuming you are connecting some interface (e.g. UART or I2C or SPI) between the two boards, then make sure the interface includes a ground wire to tie the grounds on the boards together. e.g. TX/RX/GND for UART, and SCL/SDA/GND for I2C, and SS/SCK/SDO/SDI/GND for SPI. If you have multiple of these interfaces, you only need to have one ground wire between the two boards for all of them.
If you are plugging in shields to the Arduino, it will take care of connecting the grounds through the existing connectors.
The ground on the overall system does not need to be connected to earth ground (although it doesn't hurt). Generally you will be powering your Arduino or other main board from a wall-wart, which is connected to an outlet using only two AC wires and without any third ground wire.
