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static electricity — Parallax Forums

static electricity

archer1424archer1424 Posts: 7
edited 2011-04-01 15:23 in Propeller 1
All,


I have a problem with my propeller board picking up stray static field potentials from all sorts of things like my hair, jacket, pen etc. I can bob my head toward the board and trigger all my pins. I have grounded everything and I'm not sure how to stop this from happening. Any help is appreciated.


Thanks

Comments

  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2011-03-31 21:43
    A humidifier in the work area will be a great help, as would a ground strap. Working in an area that has no rugs or other static generating materials is also helpful. A basement work area is good.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2011-03-31 23:08
    kwinn wrote: »
    A humidifier in the work area will be a great help, as would a ground strap.....

    I agree with everything kwinn says. But to expand on this, if I may: a ground strap most commonly comes in the form of a wrist strap. You can usually buy them at a nearby Radio Shack or on line:

    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2479151

    Ebay also has plenty. They basically wrap around your wrist on one end, and then the other end gets clipped to something grounded, like a water pipe, or a grounded lug on an electrical outlet, etc. They carry away electric charge that builds up on your body. But whatever you do, don't try to use just a plain ole piece of wire as a substitute. Wrapping a piece of wire around your body and then grounding it is very dangerous and could kill you if you happen to short onto something electrical. So definitely buy a wrist strap made for this purpose! Also, get a haircut and stop listening to that headbanger music while working on your electronics. Your Propeller pins will thank you.
  • Toby SeckshundToby Seckshund Posts: 2,027
    edited 2011-04-01 07:00
    It might be worthwhile to put some earthed metal sheeting, underneath an insulated layer, under your project. that would help soak away any local electic fields. I used to get static off of my workplace bench stool, everytime I hopped off it (not that I made a habit of moving that much) I had to touch something earthed before the silicon got it.

    Good old TTL with its low impedance never suffered that much, but lightning onto the masts ....
  • davidsaundersdavidsaunders Posts: 1,559
    edited 2011-04-01 15:23
    I find it interesting, do not most of us almost always work with our props in arms reach of our computer? I just use the metal case (witch is a ground shield) of my PC, as it is always there.
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