[Elecraft] "Metal muffin baking tins are good" -- was " K3 ESD"

[Fred Jensen]

On 12/18/2010 3:50 PM, Gary Hvizdak wrote:
> In reference to the subject of proper ESD protocol, Fred (K6DGW) just posted
> "Metal muffin baking tins are good".  Please note that this is INCORRECT.

As usual, Gary is correct in that ESD mats are not great conductors, but 
good enough, so that charges drain more slowly.  Metal muffin tins don't 
fall into that category.  My saving on this is that they were part of my 
equipotential plane [which included me], and knowing what Gary pointed 
out in advance, I kept everything on that plane all the time.  I should 
have made that clear, and an ESD mat/wrist strap is always the best way 
to go.  I just didn't want to buy one :-(

I should also have mentioned that many metal muffin tins have a Teflon 
coating.  Teflon is an insulator [actually a pretty good one], and will 
also generate and hold static charges.  If your wife's muffins come out 
of a Teflon-coated pan, don't use it.  Andrea bakes our muffins in a 
couple of very old pans that are not coated, she uses little paper 
cupcake liners to keep them from sticking.

Whatever you choose to do, just keep everything, including you [through 
the big resistor] and the ESD bags/foam at the same potential.  I 
recommend remaining clothed, however unshod does help if you're on carpet.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011
- www.cqp.org