[Elecraft] ESD precautions?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

The alligator clip should go to ground. I use the ground lug on the front of
my scope that connects to the mains ground wire. Some mats have a snap-on
button for a wire to a wrist strap, and many wrist straps have a terminal
that goes directly to a ground. It depends upon the maker. 

Keep in mind that the wrist strap has a high-value resistor in the lead so
you are grounding yourself through that resistor in case you touch a hot
circuit. It can save your life. 

In the old days, the rule was when you are working on a circuit, keep one
hand in your pocket and make certain you aren't touching anything grounded
by accident so there wouldn't be a path for current to flow if you touched a
hot circuit by accident. 

Now, it's to be certain you ARE grounded, but through a high-resistance
connection that will continuously drain off any static accumulation without
providing a lethal path should you touch a hot circuit.

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Cooper
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2004 8:06 PM
To: Able2fly at aol.com; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ESD precautions?


I was goin to ask the same question I picked up a ESD Mat today that has an
alligator clip on it.  I was also wondering if that attaches to a wrist
strap or to ground.  And like Bill said if that would be ok to run to the
ground socket in the wall outlet.

WT5Y would also like the same info