[Elecraft] ESD Risk vs Relative Humidity

[Wyn Hughes]

What is considered a 'normal' ESD safety limit?

Today in Hong Kong we have relative humidity (RH) of 55% (temp a 'freezing' 16 C), compared to our norm of 90 - 100% RH and temp 30 C+

These past two days my daughter and xyl have mentioned several 'static shocks' when they play with our cats, all 6 of them.

I remember my school kid days of cats tail static generators, but there's a serious question behind this. Under what conditions of RH do most builders of Elecraft rigs operate?

My K2 and XV144 were constructed in spring/summer (90%+H) and autumn (70% RH+) with no apparent probs. Cats kept well away.

I used a ESD earthed triple layer safety mat for the XV144.


73
Wyn, VR2AX