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Electronics => Beginners => Topic started by: builder01 on September 06, 2020, 08:07:41 pm

Title: ESD mat and wrist strap grounding - Netherlands
Post by: builder01 on September 06, 2020, 08:07:41 pm
Hello,

I'm building my new lab and I'm not sure where to ground since I live in the Netherlands; we only have hot and neutral available, I don't see a third a hole (see attached).

I understand I should get an ESD mat and wrist strap that includes the 1Mohm resistor. And ground these 2 with a common-point ground as shown here http://documents.desco.com/pdf/tb-2000.pdf (http://documents.desco.com/pdf/tb-2000.pdf)

The ESD mat should also include a 1Mohm resistor in order to soft-ground it as well, but I'm a bit confused as to why wouldn't the non-conductive top surface be considered a soft-ground for the bottom-conductive layer.

However, my question is about how should I ground the the common-point ground. Should I unscrew the third hole on my wall socket a bit and tie it there? I'm a bit lost how to continue, all the tutorials I see on the internet always include a dummy plug with ground connection to a hot-neutral-ground wall socket, which I don't have.

Any help is appreciated!
Title: Re: ESD mat and wrist strap grounding - Netherlands
Post by: User32 on September 08, 2020, 08:57:48 am
Have you got a radiator or something metallic nearby?
Title: Re: ESD mat and wrist strap grounding - Netherlands
Post by: fordem on September 09, 2020, 12:48:24 am
Mine is grounded to a dedicated eight foot copper coated ground rod, which is typical of what the electrical power ground would be connected to, I just chose to use a dedicated ground.
Title: Re: ESD mat and wrist strap grounding - Netherlands
Post by: wraper on September 09, 2020, 01:05:41 am
It's probably an old building without an earth wire. If there are only 2 wires coming to that socket, you cannot do anything about it. If there actually is the earth wire, then you should replace the socket with a proper one. If there is no earthing in the house whatsoever, then you can only use pipes as a workaround. Or if this is a private house, then put your own earthing rod into the earth.
Title: Re: ESD mat and wrist strap grounding - Netherlands
Post by: cheeseit on September 09, 2020, 07:14:59 pm
Relying on plumbing/radiators may be bad because some of the piping could be PEX tube, right?

With regard to a dedicated ground rod, assuming the installation is earthed at the entry point (it is, isn't it?) but isn't routed to any sockets, is it then safe to rely on this?

What issues does plumbing or dedicated ground rod pose? How do you make sure it's okay and safe to use either? Measurements?

I can drive a proper rod to whatever depth no problem (except, I don't know where the underground cables and pipes are located) but I never was certain that it was safe.