Jim,
There are *no* dumb questions! In fact, this is a good question and
not asked nearly as often as it maybe should!
The biggest issue with ESD is keeping a discharge from going
*through* you equipment. In *theory*, an ungrounded system offers some
protection from this, but it is not recommended. If you have any ground
(third wire or station ground), that will suffice. Usually, the third
wire ground is used. I believe that's because 1) its ubiquitous and 2)
because its ubiquitous, it'll be at the same potential with most of the
things you have in your house which intern means you'll have little
chance of becoming a "bridge" circuit in a "ground loop" (two grounds
with different potentials). While this usually isn't an issue, I have
heard of ground loops with potentially hazardous voltages. Maybe not so
much for people as for equipment.
You should be able to check your mat the same way you checked your
wrist strap. Measure between the alligator clip and the mat itself. You
should get similar (~1 megohm) results. Its been a long time since I've
messed with mine, but IIRC, you should be able to make this measurement.
Now, whether the ground you've chosen is effective is another
matter. An interesting "revelation" is to measure between your station
ground and your electrical ground. And, as I understand it, your station
ground should be bonded to your electrical ground at the panel's ground
rod. Why? Well, it helps keep lightening from using your ground (and
consequently, you equipment!) instead of the "designated driver,"
so-to-speak. Of course, any direct hit and all bets are off. In fact,
because of EMP, you can have electronics that are not even plugged in
get fried. Isn't that special! {'-)
I hope this helps.
Regards,
kurtt
Kurt Pawlikowski, AKA WB9FMC
The Pinrod Corporation
[email protected]
(773) 284-9500
http://pinrod.com
[email protected] wrote:
Good afternoon All.
They say an un-asked question is the only "dumb" question. Well, here
goes!
I'm an appliance operator and my technical skills are kinda shallow.
I do have a DMM and know how to use it.
I'm in the planning stage of building my dream transceiver: aka an
Elecraft K3.
After reading through the assembly manual [thanks to its availability
on the Internet], it's very clear that I should not try such a
project without an ESD Wrist Strap and ESD Mat. I have these in my
possession as we speak. They were purchased from a commercial company
advertising them as ESD items.
That leads me to my question. How can I be assured that this Mat IS
grounding a PCB [or anything else] during the "build" process?
I checked the resistance of the Wrist Strap and sure enough there is a
1M Ohm resistor in there.
I cannot figure a way to check the Mat's grounding. It's "alligator
clip" is attached to my station's woven metal Ground Strap system.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks and Best 73.
Jim.........
WA4NTM
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