Should an anti-static "conductive" brush register on the DMM?

• Should an anti-static "conductive" brush register on the DMM?
  Posted by Giddie on 03 Apr, 2013 08:58
• Hi guys,
  
  I just bought these inexpensive "anti-static conductive ESD" brushes on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00880B9FO
  
  My question is this: they're all black, which suggests carbon and conductivity to me. However, I get zip on the multimeter. Absolutely no conductivity at all, anywhere. Should I expect this? Will it only conduct at high voltages? Is there any way to test that it will indeed conduct away to earth any generated static charge (through me, if I'm earthed)?
• #1 Reply
  Posted by amyk on 03 Apr, 2013 09:37
• According to the description they use "dissipative polypropylene", and their resistance is very high. http://www.plasticsintl.com/esd.htm
  
  
• #2 Reply
  Posted by Giddie on 03 Apr, 2013 10:02
• Thanks, so it looks like although the resistance is high, it's enough to dissipate static charge.  I'm thinking I'm earthed via a 1M? resistor already... But I guess there'll still be enough current to avoid charge building?  I get pretty decent results from these brushes for cleaning off flux and general cleaning, and this was the only thing worrying me.
• #3 Reply
  Posted by EEVblog on 03 Apr, 2013 10:14
• IIRC the handle on mine is conductive at some readable level on a regular meter. Will have the check the bristles.
• #4 Reply
  Posted by Giddie on 03 Apr, 2013 10:24
• Using an Extech EX330, FYI   Love it, but I have bunged a bit of bluetack over the beeper because I found it too loud to use the continuity tester comfortably.
• #5 Reply
  Posted by babysitter on 03 Apr, 2013 11:27
• Seems someone needs to measure with a high-resistance meter. I don't even have the brush.
  Additionally, Polonium-210 radiation sources are used on some antistatic brushes too.