Earthing pvc pipework

[keith53]

Hello,

Seeing the post of Soren's workshop has prompted a question. I believe I'm seeing pvc ductwork for his dust extractor system. I've heard/read somewhere that pvc should be earthed because of the possibility of static electricity and thus the potential for fire. I've been toying with the possibility of using pvc for a routing system for dust extraction when I finally get my workshop sorted out properly (somewhere between now and 2014).

I've used a 5 metre length of pvc between my Triton sawbench and dust collector for some years now without any problem.

Is this idea of fire a realistic possibility or is it just an excuse to sell yet another product?

Cheers,
Keith

[bitingmidge]

Keith,

There's HEAPS written on the subject, in summary a domestic system has little chance (read none) of a static induced fire happening, and is almost impossible to satisfactorily earth in any case.

Have you checked the "best of the best" forum links?
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=16776

Check these links for starters, there are a number of others which I haven't searched, try searching "machinery connections" "PVC ducting" if you need more:
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...t=earthing+PVC
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...t=earthing+PVC
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...t=earthing+PVC
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...t=earthing+PVC

If you want some practice you can drop over to my place next weekend when I'm hopefully finishing mine off!!

Cheers,

P

[keith53]

Fantastic... All questions answered.


Search, then post... Search, then post.

Keith

[bitingmidge]

Fantastic... All questions answered.

Just part of the service!
Cheers,

P

[Iain]

If you really want more info do a google search and see how many US forums are getting heated over this.
It seems to be a continual hot topic with no conclusive outcomes apart from some 'cyberscraps'

[Cliff Rogers]

I saw an interesting episode of 'Myth Busters' on the plane last week.

The 'myth' that they were trying to bust was that a construction worker was killed by a static discharge from a lenght of PVC pipe that he had been sand blasting to get paint off it.

The outcome was that they could not get a static charge big/strong enough to generate a lethal discharge because it kept leaking away too quickly to build up to a lethal potential.


PS. I know that 'Lethal Discharge' and 'Static enduced fire/explosion' are different but they are sort of the same. :confused:

[gazaly]

I saw an interesting episode of 'Myth Busters' on the plane last week.

I know this isn't the topic (sorry Keith), but 'Myth Busters' has to be the best show on TV, ever.

I love how they prove/disprove the theory, then set about destroying everything by the most dramatic method possible.

Brilliant!

[soundman]

I hate myth busters. :mad:

What right have they got to have such a funn job.

I want to be paid lots of money to build weird stuff & blow it up too.

[Iain]

Soundman, sit down and shut up, it's on soon
NB. Your avatar, you know he was gay???

[numbat]

Even my soon to be 9 year old son loves Mythbusters - I think he would love to have a job like that - after he retires a the Formula 1 world champ

Cheers

[Soren]

I have not bothered specifically earthing my PVC ducting, mainly because it is fixed with metal brackets into the brickwork all along, and I surmised that this would be 'earth' enough. (crossing fingers)

Bitingmidge
Look forward to see the pics on Monday

[gazaly]

For goodness sake Soren, stay on the the topic!
..............
Oh.......sorry............that is the topic.

[bitingmidge]

Bitingmidge
Look forward to see the pics on Monday

You really are a cruel heartless bastard aren't you Soren?

I thought I'd see how long I've been "nearly finished":

Dust Collection - Machinery Connections
I thought I'd start a new thread specifically regarding ducting and connections. In May I posted on another thread that I had almost completed running 6" ducting (PVC), and now I have almost nearly completed!

I am astounded at how many bends and metres of pipe my simple little system has consumed! It is now time to make the connections and I would love to hear what others have done and how it works.

:eek: :eek:

I have a Jet DC1200, and have almost installed 6" ducting to all equipment, when finished I will have about a metre of 4" flex to each machine.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Cutting Holes In MDF
I am about to embark on the next great blast gate adventure which of course will mean cutting a lot of holes in 6-18mm MDF with diameters mostly 150 or thereabouts but going down to 75mm.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
From all of that, I now conclude that each year about this time I get the urge to work on PVC. Therfore there is a chance that I will be finished soon, failing that, it will be at least another year!

help, I think I'm drowning in woodchips

P

[Cliff Rogers]

..... mainly because it is fixed with metal brackets into the brickwork all along.....

Ummm.... no.

[keith53]

After reading one or two articles whose links were included in bitingmidge's post, I'm convinced its all a bit of a furphy.

Yes, in the most extreme circumstance, if everything falls into place and enough voltage is present, it is possible to have a problem. Not very likely though...

You could also be walking along the street and have a solid gold jumbo jet fall on you. Possible, but not very likely...