Static wrist strap question,( EEs?)

[Adrian]

Provided Link: cordless wrist strap


Has anyone ever used one of these cordless wrist straps (link below)? If so, how do you rate them?
They seem counter-intuitive to me, but its a good price.

Adrian

[dick]

dunno how a device like that has the slightest idea what the relative voltage of your work is. Straps are all about having your body and the work at the same voltage, whatavever that is. This stinks IMHO.

Dick

[nick29498141]

> dunno how a device like that has the
> slightest idea what the relative voltage of
> your work is. Straps are all about having
> your body and the work at the same voltage,
> whatavever that is. This stinks IMHO.

> Dick

Should I return my TICE clock and get some of these? What if I wrap three around my speakers, will it help my Pace and Timing (PRT) or could it open up the soundstage, or reduce di-polar distortion?



NK

[klaus]

Provided Link: Read this


I think they use a radioactive material in the strap to ionize the surrounding air that creates a path to ground. Not!

[nick29498141]

Well, if you need 1 mega ohm resistors, their 1 Cent on ebay.

NK

[shawn_a]

When I used to work at a publishing house, we would have old Christmas tree garland all over the place to keep us from getting the hell shocked out of us by the printing plates. Especially when they were coming out of the plate processor! We could create arcs 2" long on the driest of days without the garland being placed so it would lightly brush the plate as it exited the dryer section of the processor.

So yeah, a lot of this crap is just that. They can take their invisible orbs of energy and eat tofu while listening to Yanni at Red Rocks. However, there are plenty of oddball uses for stuff out there. I mean, where would Kentuckians be without duct tape? Hehehehe.

shawn

[jtaylor]

> When I used to work at a publishing house,
> we would have old Christmas tree garland all
> over the place to keep us from getting the
> hell shocked out of us by the printing
> plates. Especially when they were coming out
> of the plate processor! We could create arcs
> 2" long on the driest of days without
> the garland being placed so it would lightly
> brush the plate as it exited the dryer
> section of the processor.

> So yeah, a lot of this crap is just that.
> They can take their invisible orbs of energy
> and eat tofu while listening to Yanni at Red
> Rocks. However, there are plenty of oddball
> uses for stuff out there. I mean, where
> would Kentuckians be without duct tape?
> Hehehehe.

> shawn

I hope your not talking about kentuckian's using Duct Tape on their Hamsters? Hehehehehe

J. Taylor

[curt_c]

> dunno how a device like that has the
> slightest idea what the relative voltage of
> your work is. Straps are all about having
> your body and the work at the same voltage,
> whatavever that is. This stinks IMHO.

It's got to be FM, right? ;^)

Where's my magic wand???

C

[rone]

<A HREF="http://www.dansdata.com/danletters123.htm">http://www.dansdata.com/danletters123.htm</A>

[dlr]

> Has anyone ever used one of these cordless
> wrist straps (link below)? If so, how do you
> rate them?
> They seem counter-intuitive to me, but its a
> good price.

I was surprised the first I heard of one of these, but it was from the engineer at work who is responsible for literally hundreds of PCs on our classified network. He had not gotten info on them and I haven't followed up, but he was interested to know if it works due to the volume of PCs he works on.

It sounded like a hoax to me at first, but if it can discharge anything at all, it could have possiblities. Remember that the problem with static is not some instantaneous appearance of charge, it is an accumulation over time (short or long). The function of the strapped version is no different than it would be for this one, prevention of the accumulation of static, not the discharge of static.

That's exactly what a lightning rod does as well. The corona effect distributes or at least minimizes the accumulation of a charge, it is not intended to conduct the current during a strike, though I suppose that could be a secondary function, that part I don't know.

When I worked for a power company I was in the transmission line voltage substations that in one case had some of their 750,000 volt lines (that's not a mistake on the zeros). Those and even lower voltages have bus bars that are curved at junctions, not square connections. That puzzled me, seemed to be unnecessary. But the corona buildup is significant for a square bus connection. The curved ends and at times ball-shaped ends of the buses reduce the corona buildup.

A corona is created no matter the level of the voltage unless there is a drain. If that device can, indeed, create or "focus" (for lack of a better word) a corona effect, it just might prevent the accumulation of significant charge. But that is still a big IF in my book. I'll have to remember to as the guy at work if he learned anything more about it.

I'd use it if it worked. Here in the winter, the air is so dry that I get very strong shocks from my stereo system if I have shoes on, so I usually take them off in the winter. And the floor of my basement can get a bit chilly on the feet then.

dlr

[dlr]

I just went and read the link to ESDSystems. Looks like they checked it out and it apparently is not effective. Too bad, I could really use one of those that is effective.

dlr

[shawn_a]

> I hope your not talking about kentuckian's
> using Duct Tape on their Hamsters?
> Hehehehehe

> J. Taylor

You a sick puppy. Of course it takes one to know one .

And here all this time I thought that was their idea of a babysitter. Kid + Duct Tape + Wall=Hot Night Out For Uncle Daddy and Sister Mommy.

shawn

(Honestly folks, I only poke fun at the KY crowd because I'm used to all of my bluegrass friends taking jabs at us Hoosiers. No harm meant so please, keep the griping to nil and loosen up.)

[Pete Schumacher ®]

> I was surprised the first I heard of one of
> these, but it was from the engineer at work
> who is responsible for literally hundreds of
> PCs on our classified network. He had not
> gotten info on them and I haven't followed
> up, but he was interested to know if it
> works due to the volume of PCs he works on.

> It sounded like a hoax to me at first, but
> if it can discharge anything at all, it
> could have possiblities. Remember that the
> problem with static is not some
> instantaneous appearance of charge, it is an
> accumulation over time (short or long). The
> function of the strapped version is no
> different than it would be for this one,
> prevention of the accumulation of static,
> not the discharge of static.

> That's exactly what a lightning rod does as
> well. The corona effect distributes or at
> least minimizes the accumulation of a
> charge, it is not intended to conduct the
> current during a strike, though I suppose
> that could be a secondary function, that
> part I don't know.

The lightning rod, invented by Ben Franklin, was indeed intended to conduct a direct strike. By having that pointed spike, when lighting was to hit in the area, instead of hitting the house, or other building and setting it on fire, or worse, it hit the rod and travelled down the wire buried in the ground. And so effective was it that he was acclaimed world wide.

> When I worked for a power company I was in
> the transmission line voltage substations
> that in one case had some of their 750,000
> volt lines (that's not a mistake on the
> zeros). Those and even lower voltages have
> bus bars that are curved at junctions, not
> square connections. That puzzled me, seemed
> to be unnecessary. But the corona buildup is
> significant for a square bus connection. The
> curved ends and at times ball-shaped ends of
> the buses reduce the corona buildup.

> A corona is created no matter the level of
> the voltage unless there is a drain. If that
> device can, indeed, create or
> "focus" (for lack of a better
> word) a corona effect, it just might prevent
> the accumulation of significant charge. But
> that is still a big IF in my book. I'll have
> to remember to as the guy at work if he
> learned anything more about it.

> I'd use it if it worked. Here in the winter,
> the air is so dry that I get very strong
> shocks from my stereo system if I have shoes
> on, so I usually take them off in the
> winter. And the floor of my basement can get
> a bit chilly on the feet then.

The best cure is high humidity, but that's bad for the electronics. They make carpet with metal mesh. It's real hard to build up a static charge while standing on it.

> dlr

[dlr]

To see if I had gone off the deep end, I googled it. Try this site:

"Two years before the kite and key experiment, Ben had observed that a sharp iron needle would conduct electricity away from a charged metal sphere. He first theorized that lightning might be preventable by using an elevated iron rod connected to earth to empty static from a cloud. Franklin articulated these thoughts as he pondered the usefulness of a lightning rod:

"May not the knowledge of this power of points be of use to mankind, in preserving houses, churches, ships, etc., from the stroke of lightning, by directing us to fix, on the highest parts of those edifices, upright rods of iron made sharp as a needle...Would not these pointed rods probably draw the electrical fire silently out of a cloud before it came nigh enough to strike, and thereby secure us from that most sudden and terrible mischief!"

Franklin began to advocate lightning rods that had sharp points. His English colleagues favored blunt-tipped lightning rods, reasoning that sharp ones attracted lightning and increased the risk of strikes; they thought blunt rods were less likely to be struck. King George III had his palace equipped with a blunt lightning rod. When it came time to equip the colonies' buildings with lightning rods, the decision became a political statement. The favored pointed lightning rod expressed support for Franklin's theories of protecting public buildings and the rejection of theories supported by the King. The English thought this was just another way for the flourishing colonies to be disobedient to them.

Franklin's lightning rods could soon be found protecting many buildings and homes. The lightning rod constructed on the dome of the State House in Maryland was the largest "Franklin" lightning rod ever attached to a public or private building in Ben's lifetime. It was built in accord with his recommendations and has had only one recorded instance of lightning damage. The pointed lightning rod placed on the State House and other buildings became a symbol of the ingenuity and independence of a young, thriving nation, as well as the intellect and inventiveness of Benjamin Franklin.
"

Link to that State House lightning rod:

<A HREF="http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/ms.../lightrod.html">http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/ms.../lightrod.html</A>

An interesting USA Today article:

<A HREF="http://www.usatoday.com/weather/reso...-rod-tests.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/weather/reso...-rod-tests.htm</A>

The lightning rod is meant to prevent a strike. It can conduct the strike, but it's purpose and function is primarily prevention.

dlr

[Pete Schumacher ®]

> To see if I had gone off the deep end, I
> googled it. Try this site:

> "Two years before the kite and key
> experiment, Ben had observed that a sharp
> iron needle would conduct electricity away
> from a charged metal sphere. He first
> theorized that lightning might be
> preventable by using an elevated iron rod
> connected to earth to empty static from a
> cloud. Franklin articulated these thoughts
> as he pondered the usefulness of a lightning
> rod:

> "May not the knowledge of this power of
> points be of use to mankind, in preserving
> houses, churches, ships, etc., from the
> stroke of lightning, by directing us to fix,
> on the highest parts of those edifices,
> upright rods of iron made sharp as a
> needle...Would not these pointed rods
> probably draw the electrical fire silently
> out of a cloud before it came nigh enough to
> strike, and thereby secure us from that most
> sudden and terrible mischief!"

> Franklin began to advocate lightning rods
> that had sharp points. His English
> colleagues favored blunt-tipped lightning
> rods, reasoning that sharp ones attracted
> lightning and increased the risk of strikes;
> they thought blunt rods were less likely to
> be struck. King George III had his palace
> equipped with a blunt lightning rod. When it
> came time to equip the colonies' buildings
> with lightning rods, the decision became a
> political statement. The favored pointed
> lightning rod expressed support for
> Franklin's theories of protecting public
> buildings and the rejection of theories
> supported by the King. The English thought
> this was just another way for the
> flourishing colonies to be disobedient to
> them.

> Franklin's lightning rods could soon be
> found protecting many buildings and homes.
> The lightning rod constructed on the dome of
> the State House in Maryland was the largest
> "Franklin" lightning rod ever
> attached to a public or private building in
> Ben's lifetime. It was built in accord with
> his recommendations and has had only one
> recorded instance of lightning damage. The
> pointed lightning rod placed on the State
> House and other buildings became a symbol of
> the ingenuity and independence of a young,
> thriving nation, as well as the intellect
> and inventiveness of Benjamin Franklin.
> "

> Link to that State House lightning rod:

>
> <A HREF="http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/ms.../lightrod.html">http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/ms.../lightrod.html</A>
> An interesting USA Today article:

>
> <A HREF="http://www.usatoday.com/weather/reso...-rod-tests.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/weather/reso...-rod-tests.htm</A>
> The lightning rod is meant to prevent a
> strike. It can conduct the strike, but it's
> purpose and function is primarily
> prevention.

> dlr

Shoulda googled eh?

[dlr]

> Shoulda googled eh?

Yeah, but I read up on some more links and now I'm not as sure as before. I found more and more references that did not indicate reduction in strike, only varying amounts of protection with the conductor being of sufficient size with low resistance to good ground.

But if they did not reduce the strike frequency, one would think that any existing ones would have significant strikes over the years.

So I'm still less sure after further reading.

dlr

[thehammer]

Ok, I'll weigh in on this one. I worked on high voltage (>250,000 volts) ion accelerators for 15 years and in that application voltage insulation and isolation was the key to their operation. Whenever space (and I say space, not air, because some of the HV components are in a vacuum)is used as an isolater then the shape of the components becomes critical. A sharp point presents a compression point of electrostatic lines of flux and hence is apt to arc across the space. A rounded surface presents a more even and dispersed electrostatic field such that arcing between the two differing charges is lessend.

Now from from my hikes in the Oregon Cascades to the tops of high small peaks that are used as firewatchs by the forest service, I believe that their intent is to attract lighting strikes to the lightning rod. These locations are very prone to lighting strikes and every firewatch station I have been to has a very robust lighting rod with multiple HUGE (00 Gauge) ground wires. Purpose being, ground the inevitable lighting strike away from the structure, they are not preventable.

> Yeah, but I read up on some more links and
> now I'm not as sure as before. I found more
> and more references that did not indicate
> reduction in strike, only varying amounts of
> protection with the conductor being of
> sufficient size with low resistance to good
> ground.

> But if they did not reduce the strike
> frequency, one would think that any existing
> ones would have significant strikes over the
> years.

> So I'm still less sure after further
> reading.

> dlr

[AJ]

[mgh]

Most computer environments use anti-static (conductive) flooring to drain off static charge.

<A HREF="http://www.staticsmart.com/esd-stati...g_glossary.php">http://www.staticsmart.com/esd-stati...g_glossary.php</A>

As far as Ben Franklin rediscovering Gauss' Law, yes, pointy things work just fine. Usually, there is an upstroke where the bolt appears to jump from the earth (or structure) and only then does the downstroke occur. Using a lightning rod with a sharp point, allows you to direct the ionization path through an external grounding path (outside the building) far more readily than say the steel structure of a highrise building.

Murray

> I was surprised the first I heard of one of
> these, but it was from the engineer at work
> who is responsible for literally hundreds of
> PCs on our classified network. He had not
> gotten info on them and I haven't followed
> up, but he was interested to know if it
> works due to the volume of PCs he works on.

> It sounded like a hoax to me at first, but
> if it can discharge anything at all, it
> could have possiblities. Remember that the
> problem with static is not some
> instantaneous appearance of charge, it is an
> accumulation over time (short or long). The
> function of the strapped version is no
> different than it would be for this one,
> prevention of the accumulation of static,
> not the discharge of static.

> That's exactly what a lightning rod does as
> well. The corona effect distributes or at
> least minimizes the accumulation of a
> charge, it is not intended to conduct the
> current during a strike, though I suppose
> that could be a secondary function, that
> part I don't know.

> When I worked for a power company I was in
> the transmission line voltage substations
> that in one case had some of their 750,000
> volt lines (that's not a mistake on the
> zeros). Those and even lower voltages have
> bus bars that are curved at junctions, not
> square connections. That puzzled me, seemed
> to be unnecessary. But the corona buildup is
> significant for a square bus connection. The
> curved ends and at times ball-shaped ends of
> the buses reduce the corona buildup.

> A corona is created no matter the level of
> the voltage unless there is a drain. If that
> device can, indeed, create or
> "focus" (for lack of a better
> word) a corona effect, it just might prevent
> the accumulation of significant charge. But
> that is still a big IF in my book. I'll have
> to remember to as the guy at work if he
> learned anything more about it.

> I'd use it if it worked. Here in the winter,
> the air is so dry that I get very strong
> shocks from my stereo system if I have shoes
> on, so I usually take them off in the
> winter. And the floor of my basement can get
> a bit chilly on the feet then.

> dlr

[Pete Schumacher ®]

> Yeah, but I read up on some more links and
> now I'm not as sure as before. I found more
> and more references that did not indicate
> reduction in strike, only varying amounts of
> protection with the conductor being of
> sufficient size with low resistance to good
> ground.

> But if they did not reduce the strike
> frequency, one would think that any existing
> ones would have significant strikes over the
> years.

> So I'm still less sure after further
> reading.

> dlr

All I know, is that they have lighting rods all over large buildings, and the space center launch pads. They get hit ALL the time and keep the structures from getting damaged by conducting the blast away from less conductive material that could get superheated and explode under the heating of 5000 degrees.