Grounded mouse: good - bad - idiotic

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daqq
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Posted by daqq: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 12:54 PM
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I have a nice idea for grounding myself: Instead of touching the chasis of the PC (or some other grounded item) before playing with chips, I would install a small pad of aluminum onto my mouse which would be connected through a 100k (or a 10k) resistor onto the ground of the mouse. The ground of the mouse would be connected through the USB onto the GND of the PC, which is grounded via the power plug. Since I touch the mouse very often while working, this would ground me often enough.

Is this a good idea of a bad idea?

Thanks,

David

There are pointy haired bald people.
Time flies when you have a bad prescaler selected.

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Learning and Information, General Electronics
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Plons
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Posted by Plons: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 01:05 PM
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It's a very good idea ! But don't use aluminiumfoil. Aluminiumoxide is a good insulator. Use gold or silver :evil:

Edit: use 100k or 1 Mohm as series resistor

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icarus1
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Posted by icarus1: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 02:42 PM
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Don't forget the some UPS are not directly connected to the public network, but via a transformer. Therefore there is a fully isolation between the public network and the UPS - PC - mouse - you.

I would also say that this a nice idea.

Try it.

Have a new year.

Michael.

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daqq
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Posted by daqq: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 02:45 PM
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(Un)fortunately, I don't own a UPS. This is something new to me icarus, thanks! Why isn't there a connection between the input ground - output ground?

There are pointy haired bald people.
Time flies when you have a bad prescaler selected.

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tpappano
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Posted by tpappano: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 05:16 PM
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Quote:
Why isn't there a connection between the input ground - output ground?

I can't imagine a commercial product that would have a "break" between the ground conductor of it's power plug and the ground pins of its power outlets. You have a fine idea, and 1 meg is the value I've seen used for various other anti-static mats, ankle straps, etc. (for your safety)

Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Jepael
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Posted by Jepael: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 05:46 PM
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Sounds like a good idea, if there is a ground connection between mouse GND and mains plug protective earth pins. 1 Mohms is the de facto standard value.

Remember that some laptops might have only two pole mains plug without ground so it will float. Even if there is a ground pole, check that there is a ground connection.

- Jani

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icarus1
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Posted by icarus1: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 08:26 PM
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daqq wrote:
(Un)fortunately, I don't own a UPS. This is something new to me icarus, thanks! Why isn't there a connection between the input ground - output ground?

In our office, each desk has a lot of tools like ICE emulators, Jtags and every kind of measuring devices, all of them connected on the secondary of a transformer with full isolation from the mains.

Our computers also, are connected on UPS outputs with full mains isolation.

Our working products also, are connected at transformers.

We do this to protect our lives and our tools, because we use to work on high voltage products.

daqq,
I realy found that this is a nice idea as I wrote before. But I would to tell you about the isolated UPS.

I also would like to know your ideas about our full isolated working area.

Thank you all.

Michael.

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icarus1
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Posted by icarus1: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 08:29 PM
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Ha ha,

I tell you this: I am the 7th one that vote "YES"

Have a great new year.

Michael.

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The_village_idiot
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Posted by The_village_idiot: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 08:51 PM
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Fully isolating things can keep you alive, and help keep from letting the magic smoke out of things. A lot of the medical grade UPS have some sort of ground isolation, ut I think you can tie them to power ground if desired. They also have a better output waveform, much closer to a real sine wave. Of course you also pay for these extra features.

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tpappano
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Posted by tpappano: Fri. Dec 28, 2007 - 09:00 PM
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Quote:
In our office, each desk has a lot of tools like ICE emulators, Jtags and every kind of measuring devices, all of them connected on the secondary of a transformer with full isolation from the mains.

Our computers also, are connected on UPS outputs with full mains isolation.

Our working products also, are connected at transformers.

We do this to protect our lives and our tools, because we use to work on high voltage products.

Isolation is one thing, but you implied your equipments are also not grounded to earth and/or possibly each other. This is dangerous because an insulation breakdown can make a cabinet "live" without being otherwise noticed until it is too late. Also, line noise filters will cause a chassis to float at 1/2 line potential if there is no ground. I build 480 volt motor controls and I use an isolation transformer only to power the equipment under test, so that I can "ground" my instruments to any lead without conflict. All instruments, computers, etc. are properly grounded.

Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma

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