[Elecraft] Audio Ground Loop Isolation XFRMR?

[Edward R Cole]

I bought an ac line isolation transformer for my workbench at work 
some years ago.  The building had a horrendous ac line noise and 
ground faults which mgmt was not willing to pay to correct, so this 
got the test equipment grounds isolated to avoid discharges into open 
ckts when using test probes or solder iron.  Certainly not an ideal situation.

You should not use this solution at home (dangerous).  Fix your 
grounding system, instead.

Re: antistatic pads: best to use one in doubt.  But I would not 
connect anything to the green wire system.  I have antistatic solder 
station so know its safe, and always work on unpowered ckts - 
disconnected equipment wiring from PS.

That being said I have done considerable repair and assembly without 
a pad but using just a wrist strap.  Sometimes not even that.  I've 
gotten to know which devices one does not risk and those that appear 
more durable.  But I keep the devices in their antistatic bags until 
they are installed.  I touch my tools to chassis ground before 
picking the device up and immediately place the device into position 
for soldering - minimize handling, if possible.  RF power devices 
"seem" more durable than small-signal devices (but they are more 
expensive).  Always use antistatic pad/straps when installing preamp devices.

I detest synthetic clothes so that is not an issue -cotton for 
me.  Be careful of wool clothing.  I'm also lucky because our climate 
is usually humid.  Only in deep winter extreme cold will lower 
humidity to levels where you draw sparks from everything you touch - 
not a good time to build anything.  But if you sit down use 
antistatic devices and not get up walking around during your 
sensitive work it should be OK.  Best advice is to limit the duration 
of exposure for the device - beating the odds.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
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