Grounding Question

Hello
could someone please explain to me on circuits, for example
http://www.geocities.com/IECMaster/circuits_am/cir_am003.html
where there is the ground symbol ...does this mean that these connections go to the -ve or do they have to be grounded ... i dont quite understand!

If they have to be grounded ..what should they be grounded to?
Thanks

In a basic digital circuit (for instance 74XX parts), the ground represents the negative terminal of the supply. If the circuit you reference was connected to a battery, the ground symbol would attach to the battery negative terminal. In more complex schematics, there might be multiple ground symbols, all of which eventually are tied together. (Some circuits have multiple grounds, perhaps distinct analog and digital grounds).

This particular circuit is an audio circuit, so the ground in this case, would likely be the negative terminal of the power supply which is also tied to the ground conductor of an audio cable. In an RCA type cable, this point would connect to the outside (shield) conductor. Ground is often referred to as the 0 voltage node.

thanks for the reply :lol: