[Elecraft] ESD precautions?

[Jim Brown]

Strongly agree. It is the LAW in virtually all of the US that ALL grounds
MUST be bonded together, including, but not limited to, the utility ground,
cold water (if conductive), building structure (if there is any conductive
structure), any driven rods, and any other grounded object. Where to bond is
also cast into law, at least for the utility ground -- neutral must be bonded
to all of those grounds at the service entrance, and must be carried to each
and every outlet. 

The rest of this good engineering -- the bond between driven rods, those
other grounds, and the utility ground ought to be OUTSIDE the building, so
that when lightning generates large potential differences between grounded
objects (like rods in different places) the currents that equalize those
potentials are less likely to travel through your house. 

It is against the law to have grounds that are not bonded together, and doing
so is quite unsafe. The law I'm talking about here are local electrical
codes, nearly all of which are based on NEC or predecessor codes. I live in
Chicago, and we have an ancient code with some additional requirements
designed to keep electricians working.  

When you're thinking lightning protection, think KV and KA, and remember that
the peak energy in lightning is roughly in the middle of the broadcast band.
That means that INDUCTANCE is the primary circuit parameter limiting current
(or preventing the discharge of the huge potentials). 

Jim Brown K9YC

On Sun, 23 May 2004 13:08:38 -0400, Don Wilhelm wrote:

>So, if you have a non-mains ground in the hamshack or work area, it seems to
>me that you should be even MORE diligent about assuring that the AC mains
>grounding system is installed and properly functioning.