Static Electricity & Vintage speakers

johnny_fever

I recently rebuilt my Polk 10's (Mids, tweeters, Caps & Resistors) Last weekend I was getting some major shocks from static electricity when changing the volume or making adjustments on my Sansui G 8000. I could hear loud pops coming from the speakers. Now I have 2 blown tweeters. Has anyone ever seen any problems with high power static electricity? Thanks Rick

dorokusai

Buy a small humidifier.

johnny_fever

Has anyone ever had any damage because of high power static electricity?
After the tweeter problem I hooked up a different system all together. A Sansui 9090DB & energy speakers. My friend was shocked while turning over a record. Then the Right channel went out (Final Transistor) on the receiver.
I just Installed Laminate Flooring and this stuff seems to pack a charge. I could see having problems If we were cranking up the Vol but we were enjoying some low background music. Thanks. Rick

dorokusai Buy a small humidifier. Thanks for your time.

F1nut

Static electricity, as you've found out, will cause major problems with gear. Try to discharge yourself each and every time before touching your gear.

ViperZ

Dorokusai is right. Higher humidity (overall, 30% to 70% range) will help you reduce charge build-up on surfaces (and yourself). Also, NEVER work with open electronics without a ground strap (i.e. you will be at the same potential as your receiver's ground plane). You just learned the hard way the damage that ESD can do.

johnny_fever

Thanks guys,
I have a Sansui 990 DB In my Home based carpeted office and I'm it the habit of touching the file cabinet first. To discharge any ESD. I will come up with a discharge plan for my other gear. Thanks for your time Rick

Can simple DMM's messure ESD ?

ShinAce

No. You can measure charge with an electroscope:
http://www.engr.uky.edu/~gedney/courses/ee468/expmnt/escope.html

I can hear a pop in my speakers when I lift out of my chair. The discharge current is enough to make em pop without any contact. Keep in mind I am about 15 feet from any equipment or cables when this happens and I don't even feel it. Cotton clothes, no wool.

Static is a b****.

johnny_fever

The day I had the problems It was very dry. I'm talking painful shocks. Kinda like a hand held Jacobs ladder. Thanks for the Link. Rick

HB27

Here's an old technicians trick for you. "Cling Free" static spray on your carpet or floors or stand. I've been using it for years and have no ESD problems at all. It works.
I work on a bench doing a lot of repairs and don't use a ground strap unless working with extremel high voltages. 300v and up usually I wear the strap. (mine is actually a grounded wire with alligator clip to my belt)
HB

ShinAce

If someone has piercings, do you think it's a good idea to use this as the grounding point?

j/k

Systems

I have a floor lamp near my rigs. As I walk over to the gear I reach out and zap myself every time I go to make a change. Its almost like a habit now.

Chuck