When you’re on set, the last thing you want is a small oversight turning into a costly repair. One of the most common hidden threats to camera systems is SDI burnout, often caused by ground loops when power and signal lines don’t connect in the right order. What starts as a simple monitor hookup can quickly escalate into fried circuit boards and downtime. That’s where Core’s PD Pro technology comes in, designed to eliminate the risk at the source and keep your production running safely and smoothly.
PD Pro Protection Against SDI Ground Loops
- When there is an open ground, positive power looks for a return path. On camera systems, that path can become the SDI cable, since SDI does carry a small line voltage (typically 0.8–1V).
- For example, if a monitor is powered by a P-Tap and the positive pin makes contact before ground, the 12V output immediately seeks ground through the SDI shield to the camera. This forces far more voltage through the SDI connection than it’s designed for, often overloading the PCB and burning it out.
- PD Pro eliminates this risk by design. The ground pin is always established first, and power negotiation won’t pass voltage until a valid ground is locked. This guarantees positive can never flow before ground, removing the condition that causes SDI ground loop failures.
Why PD Pro Protects Your Gear
Traditional power connections can put your SDI lines at risk. If positive voltage hits before ground, your monitor may push 12V back through the SDI cable to the camera — a recipe for fried boards and costly repairs.
PD Pro changes the rules: ground is always locked in first, and voltage only flows after safe negotiation. That means your gear stays protected, your SDI stays clean, and ground loop worries are gone.
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