Dust collector grounding

[Dan & Colleen]

I did go and buy the smaller Craftex dust collector. I read that some units come with a grounding kit. Mine did not. Is it important that they be grounded? If so, what is the best way to ground one?

[Michael in Port Alberni]

Talk about a hot topic! IMHO as a woodworker and an electrician, I would say grounding is overkill on MOST home systems. I am runing 4" pvc pipe an vinyl flex hose, and while I can feel static from the hose, I have never been shocked. Keep in mind though that I'm on the west coast, and the humidity in my shop averages about 65% all year.

Cheers

Michael

[Dan & Colleen]

Hi Michael

I'm in Ontario and I have forced air heating. In the winter it gets pretty dry. I'm wondering if it will be a concern, especially in the winter.

[Allan Johanson - South Su]

I dunno about this whole grounding thing. You can't ground an insulator like PVC. How does that go again? "You can't change the laws of physics, Captain!" http://www.canadianwoodworking.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Running a wire inside the pipe can contribute to clogs.

Some folks say "beware", yet others say it isn't required for home use.

I wouldn't bother, but that's me.

I've heard of the odd case where a person has been startled by a static shock on the outside of the pvc pipe as they brushed against it. Maybe this could scare you and you could fall down. If this is a concern, you ground the outside of the pvc by wrapping a wire around the pvc in a fairly tight wrap to help eliminate the spare electrons.

A much more real concern with dust systems is sucking up a piece of metal and having that hit a steel impeller and cause a spark that would ignite the fine sawdust. Watch out for that one.

Allan

[Garrett in Victoria]

Grounding DC's (http://www.woodcentral.com/articles/shop/articles_221.shtml)

[Dan & Colleen]

Thanks Garrett

That was a very informative article.