Static

[Generic Default]

Hey,

I know most of the troubleshooting here is hardware or software related. But recently I've been having static problems with myself and the printer.
I'm unlucky to live in a place where the humidity is close to 0% and it's -20 to -30 degrees C. Static is a huge problem in the winter but I forgot about it until recently.

Anyway, the static that charges up on me from walking 3 steps between my computer and my Rostock is enough to disconnect the USB cable signal and cause a communication error. No permanent damage but it's REALLY annoying when I have to start a print 15 times and 14 of those are ended within a few seconds by static. The static voltage is enough to arc through 0.03 inches of PEI (one of the best insulators there is) then through 0.125 inches of glass (another good insulator) and into the heated bed traces, where it ends up temporarily disconnecting the smoothie board from my laptop. If I touch any metal part on my printer (or get within a few centimeters of it) or if I stand too close to the USB cable, the board will disconnect.


So, has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you deal with it?

Side note:
Anyone who is considering moving to a place that gets below freezing weather, please rethink!

[jdurand]

A simple thing would be to run a ground wire to all three metal columns and get in the habit of ALWAYS touching those before anything else. I learned that working in semiconductors long ago, with a ground mat I automatically drag a finger on the mat before touching a part.

[RichardMac]

I know the feeling of static in winter. I have a anti-static mat under my MAX. I had purchased a 24x24 mat, but accidentally grabbed a 24 X 48 instead. So I cut in half, and one piece is under my max and the other on my bench. It sticks out about 6 inches in front of the control panel ( I have a deep work bench )

[Jimustanguitar]

I've seen this before as well. Zapped my printer multiple times. Also killed one of Oly's Orion LCDs at a Startup Weekend about a month ago.

I agree that working a discharge into your routine would be a good idea.

[teoman]

We had some grounding bracelets. You could attach something like that to your wrist.


I have the exact opposite problem. 80 90 percent humidity in the summer. I have had abs start to pop and crackle on occasion.

[teoman]

In Finland they sell some attachments for radiators. You put water in to them and they humidify the air.

That may be a good option for you.

[Generic Default]

I've thought about getting a humidifier but I'm cheap. I probably should anyway. And I think it may be best to just buy a cheap steel braided wire and duct tape it to a grounded metal pole in the room, then wear the other end like a bracelet.

I did get in the habit of touching the t slot extrusion before anything else on the printer, but the static was such a high voltage that touching the t slot would disconnect the board. I also have to stay about a meter away from the USB cable.

I'm just a walking taser for now. I'll just stick with the wire bracelet until I convince my cheap side to get a humidifier.

[jdurand]

You shouldn't have a ground wire directly from you to ground, if you happen to touch an energized enclosure you'll see the light...

Put a 1 Meg Ohm resistor in series with any ground wire directly attached to your body. Those grounding bracelets should already have that built in. Don't believe them, check for yourself...it's your life.

[Jimustanguitar]

An ATX power supple must have an earth grounded chassis, right? Would there be any potential between the chassis ground on an ATX supply and the grounds on it's output? Would a connection like that be a good way to shunt static straight to earth ground without going through electronics?

[jdurand]

The power supply chassis would be ideal, you can check how good the tie is from the DC output ground to the chassis by connecting a somewhat high-current load from the 12V to the chassis. If it works, then you have a good tie.

Our local building inspector uses a hair blow dryer (1500W) to check home grounds, clips it from the hot to ground and if it runs at full speed you pass.