Dust Collection

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

How to deal with static build-up???

2/19/15       
JeffD

So this is my first winter in my new shop. In my old shop I never had much trouble with static electricity, just the occasional bit here and there. In my new place however I'm finding I get a lot of build-up in certain places and trying to figure out how to deal with it. The 2 biggest culprits seem to be the jointer and dust collector and I think the problem could be linked.

When I do a fair amount of jointing I start getting frequent zaps through the jointer in-feed table. I tired running a separate ground from the table to the receptacle box, but no help.

I believe the problem could be created by my dust bags. Due to the layout of the shop they are in the only place I could really fit them easily, (the size of the plenum and bags is roughly 30"D x 10'L x 11' H or so). But they are up against a roll-up door which leads to the neighboring shop. I think the aluminum door being so close to the bags, (4-5" or so), must be creating the build-up? But I have no idea short of re-arranging the entire shop how to fix it? I tried running a ground wire from the door the the nearest electrical box but no help. The jointer in-feed table is right next to the last bag and door so could be somehow picking up the static and transferring it? Or maybe they are 2 completely separate problems? Either way I'm curious if any of you have had to deal with excessive static electricity and how you dealt with it? Or any ideas for reducing the build-up between bags and door?

thanks,
JeffD

2/22/15       #2: How to deal with static build-up??? ...
Brent Member

Is it possible that the machine or associated receptacles have poor ground connections? Measuring from your machine to the ground wire leaving the receptacle the resistance should be less than one ohm.

2/22/15       #3: How to deal with static build-up??? ...
JeffD

Thanks for the reply Brent. I'm sure the receptacles are good as everything is new right to the panel. I'll have to double check the ground wire on the jointer and make sure it didn't get loose. But even when I added the additional wire from the table to the receptacle box there was no real difference.

JeffD

2/23/15       #4: How to deal with static build-up??? ...
Gary

What is the humidity level in your shop? Running a humidifier will help and possibly benefit in other ways as well.

2/23/15       #5: How to deal with static build-up??? ...
Jim Herron

Can you drill thru the slab and drive down a couple of 8' copper ground rods and ground the DC and jointer?

2/25/15       #6: How to deal with static build-up??? ...
JeffD

So I checked the machines/receptacles in question and the resistance checks out fine. I am wondering now how would one go about checking to see how well the panel is grounded? Is this something I could test, or would I need to open the wallet again and have the electrician to come back? Everything from the panel out is pretty much new now, however the panel and supply wiring is original.

I'm not opposed to installing grounding rods, though I'd rather add one outside and run the wiring through.. It's a rented space and without boring everyone with a lot of detail, it would just be easier to do it this way than drilling holes in the floor.

thanks,
Jeff

2/25/15       #7: How to deal with static build-up??? ...
cabinetmaker

Call the power company and ask them to check the lugs @ the meter. Get an electrician to check the lugs coming in. I had a loose neutral from the utility side and loose ground on the inside of a main discconect. That solved all of it


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)