Shopsmith Forums

Can somebody tell me why and how a dust collector system needs to be grounded? I have an freestanding unit that I use when I use the planer but am looking to use for multiple tools.

Thanks!

Simply to keep an operator from getting an electrical shock. I have the SS3300 and am extremly pleased with it. I did upgrade to the 42" hood. The dust and shavings, besides the possibility of electrical shock, also pose concerns about the fire and health related issues. I consider the grounded plug a must.

Electrostatic Shock - (the kind you get from the nylon carpet when the humidity is down) big difference. It might not feel different unless you have a lot of experience both ways.

I have been knocked on my keester with the real stuff several times (way back in my radar maintenance days). I much prefer the dust collector.

jc24fan wrote:Can somebody tell me why and how a dust collector system needs to be grounded? I have an freestanding unit that I use when I use the planer but am looking to use for multiple tools.

Thanks!

Static electricity can cause an arc. Arc can cause an explosion inside the dust collector especially with fine dust like from the disc sander. This is the cause of many cabinet shop fires.

I could type out a big long-winded dissertation on dust collector grounds but I won't.
Google is your friend... Do a search on "dust collector grounding" (without the quotes) and you can read the 87,000+ hits including coverage of some myths. Lots of different opinions.
Good luck.


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http://home.comcast.net/~rodec/woodwork ... myths.html

Assuming the source is correct, an interesting read.

damagi wrote:http://home.comcast.net/~rodec/woodworking/articles/DC_myths.html

Assuming the source is correct, an interesting read.

Why do I suddenly have a headache?;)

I believe he is accurate!

All I know for certain is that I often get a shock when I use either the Dust Collector or the Shop Vac. I tend to keep one hand on the machine while moving the vacuum wand with the other.

OBSERVATION: Using the dust collector while wood working tends to reduce the chance of getting shocked while cleaning up.

dusty wrote:All I know for certain is that I often get a shock when I use either the Dust Collector or the Shop Vac. I tend to keep one hand on the machine while moving the vacuum wand with the other.

OBSERVATION: Using the dust collector while wood working tends to reduce the chance of getting shocked while cleaning up.

He mentioned that EXTERNAL shock 'potential'.

He did not mention it specifically, but the problem is the 'triboelectric' potential created by dissimilar materials rubbing(sawdust in pvc pipe). Same effect as silk on amber rod back in science class(they called it static electricity).

Less sawdust at cleanup time, = less charge produced.

FWIW copier toner is a mixture of carbon black and plastic pellets(and binder when heated) that when stirred develop a charge that is attracted to the oppositely charged latent image created on the paper. Those particles 'stick' and the rest falls off. The fuser then melts the toner in place. Twas the result of being employed by a 'copier' manufacturer that I first encountered the term 'triboelectric'.

End Rambling!:rolleyes:

We get into some static situations on the farm. When driving some machinery with large flat belts (not so common any more) a static charge will build up in a rubber tired tractor. It was not a problem when they were on steel. The solution was to either hang a log chain from the tractor and letting it hang down on the earth. Also common was to lean a steel bar or fence post up against the tractor.
A lot of farmers drag a short piece of chain from the rear axle of a self propelled combine and claim that it reduces fuzzy dust clinging to the cab glass.


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