Fundamentals of Personal Grounding: Basics, Functions and Industrial application of Testers
Static energy and electrostatic discharges are part and parcel of the electronic industry. We, humans, are the biggest carriers of static charge. In effect, we are always under the risk of dielectric breakdown. A personal grounding system is mandatory to safeguard sensitive electronic devices and workers.
To avoid the sudden flow of discharge or harmful voltage, it is necessary to equip the workplace with a common electrical ground point. One of the integral parts of the personal grounding checklist is ensuring that electrical potential is the same for all the components in workstations.
Improper grounding or installation of safety equipment can result in property damages and life threats. Electrocution can occur anywhere if you show slight negligence for immediate gain. Meticulous planning is needed to ensure a worker-friendly atmosphere in rising industries.
Personal Protective Grounding is the topmost solution to ensure safety in workplaces. If you want to enjoy a productive work time free of personnel or product damage, you should know some basics of electric energy flow and the ways to channelize the proper grounding system.
Basics of Grounding
Grounding is the creation of a low resistance path for the high voltage/ sudden electric flow to divert the route to protect the devices and workers from electrostatic discharge. A safe work environment is a primary need of every industry. Grounding in the electronics is categorized as system grounding and equipment grounding.
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In system grounding, one of the conductors is diverted to the earth ground to prevent hazards caused by lightning and surge. Now, in the case of the equipment grounding, all the current-carrying entities are connected to the ground, thereby preventing personnel damages and equipment malfunctions.
The ultimate process involved in grounding is bringing the sensitive electronic devices and personnel to a common ground point. This can be achieved by using ESD controlled equipment and Personal grounding testers while working inside an ESD prone area.
Essentials of Personal Grounding
Protective grounding requirements must be installed in every electronic and manufacturing unit to ensure worker security and steady workflow. Though you wear necessary ESD safe equipment like a wrist strap, gloves, and foot grounder you may not be able to analyze the real-time functionality.
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To regulate the grounding requirements, it is necessary to impart an annual inspection of the grounding units. Inadequate grounding maintenance is a common mistake we usually make. The assistance of a qualified engineer or lightning protection installer should be ensured to cross-check the efficiency of the electrical grounding.
Benefits of Channelised Grounding
Channelized grounding can guarantee a protected working atmosphere. If you want to enjoy the complete security from electrical grounding, it is necessary to understand the nature of your workplace. ESD controlled grounding facility is the primary requisites in every industry, and some of its top-notch benefits include:
- Protection from electrical shock and lightning
- Prevents electrical fires
- Ensures the linear electric flow
- Controls voltage level
- Reduces fluctuation in electrical signals
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The benefits of channelized grounding can’t be sustained without proper checklists. Let it be your ESD safe equipment or grounding conductors, real-time functional verification needs to be maintained through personal grounding testers. Now, let’s see some personal grounding testers used in electronic and manufacturing industries to ensure safety and productivity.
Top-hole Personal Grounding Testers
You should equip the workstations with necessary personal grounding testers to ensure that the equipment installed is in proper functional mode. The testers measure the working condition and durability by sending real-time automated reports to the supervisors.
1. Personal Grounding Combo Tester Kit with Software
ESD controlled wrist strap and heel grounder help you to ensure safety. But, it is imperative to cross-check the working condition and electrical resistance of the equipment by guiding the authorities to supervise safety and security.
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Personal Grounding Combo Tester Kit helps to monitor and analyze the running status by sending auto-generated emails to the supervisors. If the safety equipment fails to provide accurate protections, signals are passed on through the software. Also, the testers can simultaneously test the wrist strap and foot grounder within a time limit of 3 seconds.
2. Combination Ground Tester
An efficient tester should ensure an accurate result within a limited time-frame by saving workers time and life. Combination ground Testers help in the qualitative analysis of safety measures. The tester issues a pass, high fail, or low fail results before you enter the sensitive work area.
The footplates offer automatic testing in hands-free mode and facilitate simultaneous testing of the left foot and right foot grounding.
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3. Portable Wrist Strap Monitor
Compact and portable wrist strap monitor continuously analyzes the functionality of your ESD safe wrist straps. It checks the wire strap and associated ground connection. Also, the in-built visual and audio alarm provide real-time grounding security by warning the worker of accidental hazards.
How to ensure Protective Grounding Security in Workplaces
It is not just enough to install any ESD safe equipment or personal protective grounding. If you want to ensure complete safety and security, it is mandatory to study the nitty-gritty of personal protection in electrical and manufacturing workstations. Here are some top-grade measures to follow while handling grounding testers and equipment.
- Understand the nature of your company and design Personal Protection grounding (PPG) accordingly
- Ensure that the PPG provide permanent safety
- Understand the climatic condition. Specifications differ according to the atmospheric condition
- Review guidelines or product manuals for better functioning. Don’t do anything with half knowledge
- Ensure that the equipment meets NIST standards and guidelines
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Final Note
Grounding seems to be a scientific term, but it is one of the crucial aspects of daily life. With the advancement in the electrical and electronic industry, the risk factors have also increased. While running behind productivity, it is also essential to ensure the safety of the workers and damage-free development.
Hundreds of personal grounding equipment are available in the market, but you can’t predict the functionality of the equipment you are using. For that, you need personal grounding testers. They help to ensure the operational capacity of the equipment.
At Gokimco, you will get long-running personal grounding devices and testers that suit your industrial needs. You can ensure safety and productivity at the same time through certified grounding equipment and frequent workspace inspection.
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