[Elecraft] ESD precautions?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

If the mains ground wire is not grounded, how is connecting yourself to a
metal table leg going to help? In the shops were I've worked, the mains
ground was always used as the equipment ground at the work bench. The mains
ground lead was connected directly to the metal frame of the bench. On my
home bench, the commercial outlet strip I use has the mains ground tied
directly to its metal case, as well as going to all the round safety ground
outlet terminals, of course. 

Certainly it's important to have a working safety ground. Over the years I
have discovered too many outlets that have an open ground. That's why I use
an outlet checker to be sure the outlet is wired correctly and that the
ground connection is actually grounded. It seems to happen mostly in older
homes where someone has installed a newer three wire outlet in place of an
old two wire outlet without connecting a ground lead to the outlet. 

The electricians I have spoken with have always insisted that the most
dangerous situation I could create for myself would be to provide a separate
ground return that isn't bonded to the mains ground, such as a ground stake
and separate ground wire coming into the shack. That situation occurs for
most people in their kitchens and bathrooms where one easily contacts
plumbing fixtures that may be self-grounded through the pipes. In those
situations they recommend installing a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) outlet
that will quickly open the mains circuit if the current flowing in the two
sides of the mains wires isn't exactly balanced. 

Ron AC7AC  

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of kce
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 6:18 AM
To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ESD precautions?


Tom being a electrical contractor I would never depend on the AC supply
safety ground for a ground let alone connect myself to it. The results could
be shocking. I have two separate ground rods driven into the basement floor
here bonded together and separated 8 ft for my static grounds as well as RF
ground. Just too many things murphy can do to make that AC safety ground go
bad. At the very least connect your wrist strap to a metal table leg or
such, that has no chance of becoming energized. Ken W8OB