[Elecraft] Static - SAFETY WARNING

[Darwin, Keith]

Don,

Yes, you're absolutely right.  My suggestion to use some conductive
surface (alum.) assumes it is used only for construction (no power
applied).  During testing, you'd have to change the setup to prevent the
rig from shorting!  I'm glad you mentioned it!  As I think about it, I
can see that the metal top is a poor substitute for a real static mat
and can do only 1/2 of what a true high-impedance / conductive mat can
do.

I honestly don't know the price of a static mat.  I got mine free from
work as it was soon to be tossed out.  I've seen 'em in Mouser and I
think they were $50 or so but I bet they can be had for less.

73!

- Keith-

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:w3fpr at earthlink.net] 

I agree with all your ESD comments, but I would hesitate to suggest that
anyone do electronics work on a completely conductive surface such as a
sheet of aluminum.  The possibility of a short to the work surface while
testing or working on powered equipment is high.  Even with low
voltages, the current can be high and therefore dangerous.  The surface
should be conductive, but not of a low resistance.