Re: (OT) - Static electricity grounding device?

[Rob Mahurin <robm@mad.scientist.com>]

On Mon, Mar 26, 2001 at 12:22:56PM -0600, John Hasler wrote:
> Rick Rezinas writes:
> > For low voltage work (like with static ectricity),...
> 
> "Static Electricity" is _high_ voltage.

To quantify:  air conducts electricity (draws a spark) when the
electric field is stronger than 3x10^6 volts/meter.  If a spark jumps
one millimeter from your finger to something else, it crossed a
potential difference of 3x10^6 V/m * 10^-3 m = 3,000 Volts.  (There's
not much current involved, though, which is why it doesn't hurt.)

This large potential, however, is due to a relatively small amount of
charge and the fact that your fingertip is sharply curved (ever notice
how the palm of your hand never draws a spark, only the fingertip?).
This charge can be harmlessly dissapated, as noted, by touching the
metal part of your box's case.

Rob

-- 
The young lady had an unusual list,
Linked in part to a structural weakness.
She set no preconditions.