[Elecraft] Static Discharge Through K-Pod

[Larry (K8UT)]

Chuck,

I had this problem in my carpeted shack with a desk chair rolling around 
on a vinyl chair pad. After a little testing I determined that the metal 
case of the K-Pod is not grounded.

The KPod uses a straight-through 6 conductor cable with identical RJ 
connectors on each end. I built a slightly longer cable for my KPod, 
using 6 conductors of a stranded 8 conductor flat ethernet wire. A 7th 
conductor provides chassis ground from the K3 to the metal case of the 
KPod.

I have had zero issues since grounding the K-Pod case.

-larry (K8UT)

------ Original Message ------
From: "Chuck Milam, N9KY" <N9KY at arrl.net>
To: "Elecraft Mail List" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: 2018-03-15 11:08:03
Subject: [Elecraft] Static Discharge Through K-Pod

>Greetings, All!
>
>I'm getting static electricity shocks through my K-Pod case, and I need
>some suggestions for mitigation.
>
>Background:  I keep my K-Pod on my operating desk just to the right of 
>the
>shack computer mouse. I've noticed when I walk over to the desk and 
>grab
>the mouse, the K-Pod will beep.  Further investigation shows I'm 
>getting
>static electricity discharge from my finger through the K-Pod, this 
>morning
>I even noticed an arc from my pinky finger to the K-Pod case. When the
>K-Pod beeps, the D1 and D2 lights will cycle.
>
>The shack is carpeted, and I have a rolling chair on one of those 
>plastic
>chair mats (which can probably go away if necessary,) I suspect that 
>mat is
>probably contributing to the static problem.
>
>Obviously, I don't want static electricity discharging through my K-Pod 
>and
>then through my K3. I'd welcome any ideas for static mitigation
>strategies.  I was thinking some sort of grounded mouse/keyboard mat, 
>which
>used to be more common, but seem hard to find these days.
>
>73,
>
>Chuck Milam, N9KY
>N9KY at arrl.net
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