- #1
tomc5
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I think my situation below can only be explained by a physicist, so I hope I came to the right place!
On our hydraulic test bench we use a glass tube, float type flowmeter (also called a rotameter?); fluid is hydraulic fluid and non-flammable; the float is anodized aluminum. We occasionally get a report of arcing in this flowmeter, but reports and descriptions of the event are non-specific except that "an arc (or spark )was seen inside the tube". I am told in one instance that the glass tube shattered.
My initial conclusion was we simply had a bad metal-to-metal contact between the flowmeter metal base and the back panel, but all surfaces were clean. We then also added a ground wire between the flowmeter metal base and an Earth ground with no apparent effect on preventing the arc.
1. what is the possible cause of this charge buildup?
2. where is the charge being stored? On the Glass? or on the anodized float?
3. what else can I do to prevent the arc?
I have called several flowmeter companies but rec'd no help in explaining the phenomenon.
Thanks for any explanations you can offer.
Tom
On our hydraulic test bench we use a glass tube, float type flowmeter (also called a rotameter?); fluid is hydraulic fluid and non-flammable; the float is anodized aluminum. We occasionally get a report of arcing in this flowmeter, but reports and descriptions of the event are non-specific except that "an arc (or spark )was seen inside the tube". I am told in one instance that the glass tube shattered.
My initial conclusion was we simply had a bad metal-to-metal contact between the flowmeter metal base and the back panel, but all surfaces were clean. We then also added a ground wire between the flowmeter metal base and an Earth ground with no apparent effect on preventing the arc.
1. what is the possible cause of this charge buildup?
2. where is the charge being stored? On the Glass? or on the anodized float?
3. what else can I do to prevent the arc?
I have called several flowmeter companies but rec'd no help in explaining the phenomenon.
Thanks for any explanations you can offer.
Tom