QTV #13 - Does an Anti-Static Mat Work!?

[SeanB]

QTV #13 - Does an Anti-Static Mat Work!?

Martin discovers Ohio is dry and shocking in winter. Not used to that, as when he was living by the sea a low humidity day was anything under 100%RH.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMMLaU0ng-0

Time to wash the floors with diluted fabric softener, and to put some in the washing as well. Time to buy a big roll of the anti static matting to put on the floor as well.

Discussion on earthing to mains earth, though that may be an issue, especially in older buildings in some countries, with no actual mains earth, only a 2 wire system. In that case a connection to a cold water pipe that is not plastic, or to a metal frame of the building, or to an earth rod into the ground outside.

In any case take care in connecting to mains for any reason, and use a low cost outlet checker ( available in most countries to suit the socket outlets there) to check the sockets are both correctly wired ( in those countries where there is a defined standard for the location of the live conductor, which is not the case in much of Europe) and has a good earth connection. As well it is best to have a residual current device installed correctly for your local wiring code, either in the main distribution board in some countries, or as a socket outlet for countries like the USA and Canada. Low cost and it can save your life.

[RobertoLG]

the cable from the mat probably has a resistor built inside, and the resistance of the mat itself doesn't let the discharge got out all at once, so it doesn't create an arc like when you touch the ground directly, it never got so low around here, 40% maximum. nice video very informative to folks starting with electronics

[steve30]

It was funny watching Martin get those electric shocks  .

[SeanB]

Humidifier is good for many reasons, especially the shock reduction. As well it reduces warping of wood and furniture, and the increased humidity increases the comfort level in the house, along with reducing the dry nose that increases the chances of having upper respiratory infections on a regular basis. Down side is if you go too high mould can carry on growing in hidden spaces, so keep it at a level where you do not get shocked, and just a little above that for comfort.

[K2teknik]

It is more pain-friendly to discharge your body through a metal object, a coin or a door key can be used.
A way to minimize the build up of static electricity is to use fabric of cotton, both your own personal clothes and your furniture.
An air filter device with ionization can help to reduce the build up of static electricity too.

[bitwelder]

Another option is to attach some 1Meg resistor with one leg free in the air and the other one bound to a convenient corner of a metal shelf or table and use it as a 'very poor man' discharge station