Various abbreviations are used to represent different power supply voltages in electronics. Today, we will be discussing more about power supply voltages VCC, VDD, VEE, VSS, and GND.
Definitions
- VCC – Also known as Voltage common collector, here C refers to circuit, thus, the entire term means the voltage connected to the circuit.
- VDD – Here D refers to the device and VDD refers to the internal working voltage of the device.
- VEE – It is the source of the field effect transistor (S) and the negative voltage power supply that is used in various circuits.
- VSS – Here, S refers to the common connection referring to the circuit’s common ground voltage.
- GND – This term is commonly referred to as the voltage reference point within the circuit. It is divided into power ground (PG) and signal ground (SG).
The difference between V and VA is the same as the differences between analog and digital. However, CC and DD differ on the basis of power supply voltage and operational voltage. VCC is greater than VDD in a circuit.
While we are talking about types of electric abbreviations, why not have a look at various aspects in connecting solar panels in Series Vs Parallel.
Applications of Power Supply Voltage
- In Digital Circuits – In such devices, VCC is the power supply voltage of the circuit, VDD is the operating voltage for the chip, and VSS is the ground.
- It is noted that both VDD and VCC pins are present in some ICs. It means that the device has a voltage conversion function.
- Effect Transistor – Also known as COMS devices have VDD as the drain and VSS is the source. Here VDD and VSS are not the power supply voltage but the component pins.
Types of GND
There can be audio ground, protective ground, and signal ground.
1. Audio Ground
It is mainly for the audio systems.
- Shielding ground – It prevents the interface of audio systems. The audio system’s metal casing is connected to the signal ground through a wire.
- Audio-specific ground – The grounding device is buried separately and connected to the corresponding grounding terminal of the isolation transformer and the shielding stabilized power supply. It serves as a dedicated audio ground point in the sound control room and this is specially for professional audio systems.
- Cold ground – It is the output ground of a switch-mode power supply. A high-frequency transformer and optocouplers isolate it from the input ground. It is used for transmitting signals in the feedback circuit while isolating the 2 sides. It is not live.
2. Protective Ground (PG)
It is a type of wiring method designed such that it keeps people safe. Its one wire is connected to the electrical appliance and other is reliably connected to the earth.
3. Signal Ground (SG)
It is the reference point of 0 potential. It is the common segment with the circuit signal loop which is symbolized by ⊥.
- DC ground – reference point of 0 potential in a DC circuit
- AC ground – 0 line of an AC power supply distinguished from the earth ground.
- Power ground – reference point for 0 potential for devices with high current network and power amplifiers.
- Analog ground – reference point for 0 potential for amplifiers, A/D converters, comparators, sample and hold circuits.
- Digital ground – Also known as logic ground it is the reference point of 0 potential for digital circuits.
- Hot ground – The ground of the switching circuit is related to AC power grid particularly for switch-mode power supplies that do not require transformers. It is live.
Cross-Reference: VBB, VCC, VDD, VEE, VSS, GND
