electricity, the static kind

leftwinger57

Hello guys,
This question always bounched around and now this seems to be the place to answer it. It being static electricity and what effects if any does it pose to ones gear. We've already discussed that there is no need for 3 prong plugs
to help w/ ground but most people don't ground their systems to begin with.So for me as cross my carpet to turn on my 2-ch gear I do usually get a
shock and sometimes a visable arc. Nothing indurious happens and everything turns on and works fine. So can this lead to problem or am I just getting a little paranoid.Also if in fact there is a problem here what are the reamadies barring taking out the carpet.......LW

steveinaz

We have extremely low humidty is S Az, so static is a constant problem. I get zapped everytime I touch my Benchmark's volume knob. I don't think it's a hazard of any kind, more of a minor PITA.

bobman1235

It's gotta do SOME damage if your gear isn't well-designed, but I would hope the higher-end stuff you guys all use would be smart enough to handle it.

I"ve had computers SHUT OFF before from static shock through the keyboard (PS/2... USB is a lot smarter). That's always fun.

heiney9

Static electricity of the kind mentioned here WILL take out delicate electronics as in microprocessors, etc. My brother had it happen to the volume control on his BAT pre-amp.

I'd find a way to minimize it such as discharging on your rack, etc rather than the equipment.

H9

Erik Tracy

bobman1235 wrote: »

It's gotta do SOME damage if your gear isn't well-designed, but I would hope the higher-end stuff you guys all use would be smart enough to handle it.

I"ve had computers SHUT OFF before from static shock through the keyboard (PS/2... USB is a lot smarter). That's always fun.

You could always install a grounding strap and wristband next to your rig - ground it to a chassis screw someplace. Then when you go to operate your rig - put the grounding wristband on first

We are required to have these at work anytime we work on computers or other electronic devices in the labs.

SCompRacer

I had a BAT VK-3i pre amp that I blew the volume control out with a static shock on the volume knob (after handling a vinyl record). BAT implemented static discharge protection upon repair, which I presume was better internal grounding of the front panel. I never took the chance to find out and got in the habit of grounding myself before touching any gear. A wall switch cover screw did that for me, or part of the chassis (not a control).

We use a built in furnace humidifier in winter. I can still get static charged handling/dry brushing vinyl. I read that wiping softener sheets on things prevents shock, but never tried it. Nor do I know what you are rubbing 'on' or possibly 'off' using them. They might scratch gear though.

EDIT: No, I am not Brock's (heiney9) brother.:eek: Just a friend.:biggrin:

bobman1235

Erik Tracy wrote: »

You could always install a grounding strap and wristband next to your rig - ground it to a chassis screw someplace. Then when you go to operate your rig - put the grounding wristband on first

We are required to have these at work anytime we work on computers or other electronic devices in the labs.

Ditto, though we had the grounded floors put in a few years back so we can wear footstraps too, which is nice.

heiney9

SCompRacer wrote: »

EDIT: No, I am not Brock's (heiney9) brother.:eek: Just a friend.:biggrin:

Come on Rich...........would that be so bad? :frown:

H9

SCompRacer

heiney9 wrote: »

Come on Rich...........would that be so bad? :frown:

H9

Just kidding. Couldn't resist the chance to be a smart ****.:biggrin:

leftwinger57

nice response, Yes in most electrical assemply lines people are grouned and all are discharged before touching the pcb . But in a home audio case it seems not to much can be done and it also appears that damage has accurred on certain gear so this is a potential threat not a blind post to which I'm happy,learning on the go seems the way here. Sometimes you get an answer and then others just either rants w/ no help at all. Thanks for the response, it can be a PROBLEM......LW

thesurfer

I get it all the time,, it has never seemed to harm my gear,, usually when i turn up the volume knob,, a small shock,, good post, cause i often wondered the same thing,,

Tour2ma

Great reason for remote controls...

leftwinger57

Yes, TOUR2A it does seem to be the way to go here. but my pre-Onkyo P301 has no
remote and dos limit it'a fun typ3 .N

steveinaz

Somebody buy me the "HDR" version Benchmark, will ya?

unc2701

heiney9 wrote: »

I'd find a way to minimize it such as discharging on your rack, etc rather than the equipment.

Discharge on a rack, eh?

(How did you guys let this one slip by?)

heiney9

unc2701 wrote: »

Discharge on a rack, eh?

(How did you guys let this one slip by?)

Ok, rack wasn't a great choice of words. I don't have a rack per se, but a wooden lowboy type unit. I discharge on the wooden lowboy unit when conditions are really dry in the Winter. Generally I don't have static issues.

Is that better?

H9

unc2701

Put your mind in the gutter and read that again.

heiney9

unc2701 wrote: »

Put your mind in the gutter and read that again.

:biggrin::biggrin::cool:

I just now got that!

Freakin' hilarious.........we should all discharge on the rack.

H9

bmor

Back to the subject....I freaked when I recently zapped my new receiver and the sound cut out for a split second:eek:All seems to be good but now I always make sure to ground to something else before touching it.

Tony M

I hate static.

I learned to touch my rack years ago in the summertime when the A/C makes it drier in the house or man-cave.
This photo was emailed to me this morn.. How coincidental.:biggrin:

The expresion on the left guy is awsome!!

unc2701

Back to the OP, the electricity will always take the shortest path to ground. It's good to get in the habit of touching the chassis or rack for your gear before any buttons or knobs, but it's pretty rare that you'll actually cook anything. The popping you hear through a system when the static goes off is usually from EMI from the discharge, not electricity going through it. I used to be able to touch the door knob to the room and get the speakers to pop when my system was on phono.

Tour2ma

unc2701 wrote: »

I used to be able to touch the door knob to the room and get the speakers to pop when my system was on phono.

LOL.... Now that's what I call static... :biggrin:

Outfitter03

heiney9 wrote: »

Static electricity of the kind mentioned here WILL take out delicate electronics as in microprocessors, etc. My brother had it happen to the volume control on his BAT pre-amp.

I'd find a way to minimize it such as discharging on your rack, etc rather than the equipment.

H9

In telecommunications and server rooms static elimination busbar systems are installed. These can be quite elaborate. This company is where I have bought supplies to run static elimination systems at my work.

http://www.stormcopper.com/busbar.htm

One or two of the smaller bars wired to a separate ground rod would do the job. It is best to get at least 10-15 feet away from the foundation to get a good ground. In dry or alkali soils like we have sometimes it takes two ground rods tied together in series. This will suck the static right out of the air and would work excellent for equipment racks.

Toolfan66

Last year was worse then this year for me, last year the static shock shutdown my volume. I had to unplug then plug it back in to reset it..

This year just a couple of small bites. But my rig has changes as well, all the cables and new amps.

leftwinger57

Yes,a reply to my own thread w/ a direct action and after effects.After going on on how I usually charge myself along the carpet and do then touch my gear nothing usually happens.Well I no longer know that to be true and a static charge can definitely be
injurious to ones gear to varying degrees.A few minutes ago coming in from a really cold few minutes outside dropped the coat and went to turn on my 2-chl.As I approached my Onkyo and turned it on a very clear arc of electricity passed through me and into the
Onkyo.It instantly shut down and I thought I fried it. I let it settle w/ it unplugged and after a few I plugged it back in ,turned it on and it works. A very scary scenario indeed .No longer will take static charges lightly and somehow find a way not to be so turned on.