Static Electricity corrupting electrical equipment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the issue of static electricity affecting the functionality of networked alarm panels in a specific room of a building. Participants explore potential environmental factors contributing to component failures and the occurrence of static shocks, considering both technical and practical solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes experiencing static shocks when touching metal in the room where the alarm panel is located, suggesting a correlation between static electricity and equipment failure.
  • Another participant suggests checking the continuity of ground connections, emphasizing the importance of a common ground for RS-485 connections.
  • Further inquiries are made about the type of flooring in the room, questioning whether it differs from other rooms and how it might contribute to static buildup.
  • A suggestion is made to test electrical outlets with a simple electrical tester to ensure proper wiring across the rooms.
  • One participant mentions the potential benefit of static-proof carpet in electrical equipment rooms, proposing it as a solution to mitigate static electricity issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of suggestions and inquiries, but there is no consensus on the exact cause of the issues or the most effective solution. Multiple competing views and approaches remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in understanding the environmental factors at play, such as the influence of flooring materials and the presence of ground noise from large electrical devices, which remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals involved in electrical installations, building maintenance, or those experiencing similar issues with static electricity and electronic equipment may find this discussion relevant.

p.daly
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I need help. I am installing new networked alarm panels throughout a building. There is a room where one panel is and that panel is continually having components fail. While in this room it is also very common for me to receive a static shock when coming in contact with any metal. I realize that the dry winter adds to this but it has gotten so bad that the shock will travel through a metal table, through my computer, travel through my 485 connection cable and shut down my panel's CPU. We have quickly ruled out bad components and now are trying to come up with an environmental reason. Can anyone offer some help?
 
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Might check continuity on ground connections.
 
p.daly said:
I need help. I am installing new networked alarm panels throughout a building. There is a room where one panel is and that panel is continually having components fail. While in this room it is also very common for me to receive a static shock when coming in contact with any metal. I realize that the dry winter adds to this but it has gotten so bad that the shock will travel through a metal table, through my computer, travel through my 485 connection cable and shut down my panel's CPU. We have quickly ruled out bad components and now are trying to come up with an environmental reason. Can anyone offer some help?

+1 on Bystander's ground check suggestion. Remember that RS-485 requires a common ground (without much noise) for all devices connected to the network, so having good ground continuity is important. Are there any large sources of ground noise in this installation (like elevator motors, or other large motors)?

What is the floor like in this room where you keep getting shocks? Is it carpet or tile or other? Is it the same as the other rooms?

Have you tested the electrical outlets with a simple electrical tester to be sure that power is wired correctly in all the rooms?

http://www.electricalbasics.com/resize/Shared/images/electrical-testers/receptacle-tester-3-wire-EBTT-17-RT-CA-med.jpg?
receptacle-tester-3-wire-EBTT-17-RT-CA-med.jpg
 
That little outlet checker Berkeman shows is available at Walmart around six bucks - every homeowner should have one.

Your architect should have put static-proof carpet in an electrical equipment room, i would think. It has a few carbon fibers mixed into provide minimal conductivity. Worth an inquiry.
 

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