Understanding and Interpreting Data from Static Electricity Meter Experiments

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on troubleshooting issues with a static electricity meter that fails to stabilize at zero when electrically grounded. Participants suggest verifying the meter's operation under controlled conditions, such as wrapping it in aluminum foil connected to a good ground. They emphasize the importance of conducting experiments to confirm the meter's accuracy and understanding the inherent errors in measurement instruments. Additionally, they recommend reviewing the device's manual and ensuring proper configuration for sharing video evidence of the experiments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static electricity measurement principles
  • Familiarity with experimental verification techniques
  • Knowledge of grounding methods in electrical experiments
  • Ability to interpret data sheets for measurement instruments
NEXT STEPS
  • Conduct experiments with the static electricity meter under controlled conditions
  • Learn about grounding techniques for accurate measurements
  • Review the user manual for the static electricity meter
  • Explore common errors in measurement instruments and how to mitigate them
USEFUL FOR

Electronics enthusiasts, experimental physicists, and anyone involved in measuring static electricity who seeks to troubleshoot and understand measurement accuracy.

Steven Ellet
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TL;DR
My detector won’t keep changing.
My static electricity meter won’t stay zero when I am not moving and when I am electrically grounded.

Video:


EDIT:
Can you see this?

shorturl.at/jsGV0
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
Looks like your video did not attach/link properly?

Edit -- Looks to be fixed now.
 
Last edited:
You can't link us to your Google drive.
 
  • Informative
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DaveC426913 said:
You can't link us to your Google drive.
What do I do then?
 
Steven Ellet said:
What do I do then?
You can upload JPEG or PDF screenshots/stills to help us understand your setup. Or you will need to have a YouTube account or similar if you want to post a video, I think.
 
berkeman said:
You can upload JPEG or PDF screenshots/stills to help us understand your setup. Or you will need to have a YouTube account or similar if you want to post a video, I think.
Can you see that?
 
Steven Ellet said:
Can you see that?
See which what?
 
Sometimes instruments are broken or just weren't any good to begin with. Granted, we haven't seen ANY details in your case, but I suspect we don't know either. Have you done any experiments to verify correct operation under known conditions? For example, what if you wrap it up in Al foil connected to a good ground, perhaps with a small window to see the display. Is is stable then? Does it need new batteries? Have you read the manuals?
 
You can copy/paste an image directly into the text of a post.
 
  • #10
DaveC426913 said:
You can't link us to your Google drive.
You can, just the particular file you are sharing has to be configured as available for "everyone with the link".
 
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  • #11
Borek said:
You can, just the particular file you are sharing has to be configured as available for "everyone with the link".
Fixed
 
  • #12
DaveE said:
Have you done any experiments to verify correct operation under known conditions?
The video is the testing.
 
  • #13
Steven Ellet said:
The video is the testing.
Right, OK. Then I guess you know the answer.
 
  • #14
DaveE said:
Right, OK. Then I guess you know the answer.
What?
 
  • #15
Steven Ellet said:
The video is the testing.
So, since the video represents an experiment under known conditions, where you are sure what the correct answer is, and since you have the measured data, you know what the meter does. Right? It seems you think you have a complete set of verification tests, so you must be done. Otherwise you'd be thinking of other experiments to clarify any uncertainty. If your happy with that test, then we're happy too; I guess.

BTW, my experience of decades working in EE labs has taught me that all instruments have errors*, and all can be misinterpreted, or used in incorrect ways. The art and science of lab work is understanding the error bars; i.e. what data is good data, what tests are good tests, what do you care about and what is close enough.

*PS: read the data sheets.
 
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