[Elecraft] Electrostatic ground

[Stuart Rohre]

To adequately "ground" for electrostatic charges does not require a 
connection to physical earth at all.
In fact whether to use a strap at all depends on your local temperature and 
humidity at the work station.  Dry cold winter weather is more risk than a 
wet spring unless you have a cold air conditioned lab in which you are 
working, that has dry air.

You establish a ground plane or conductive pad under the chassis or board 
you are working on.  To this is attached a wrist strap thru a coiled cord. 
There is a current limiting resistor in the commercial cord/ strap set ups 
to limit any surge to the human.  The idea is to have the human and the 
board or chassis at the same voltage, (potential) before you touch the board 
with your hands or tools.  Once you pick up the part or tool, your wrist 
strap discharges anything on the part/ tool.  When you insert the part in 
the chassis or board that is "grounded" to the conductive pad, you have 
removed the danger of a spark.

Check the web sites of some of the manufacturers by Googling  "static 
discharge tools".  There should be some application notes to further discuss 
precautions.

73,
Stuart
K5KVH