Re: Analog meters & static charge

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-twfpowerelectronics-dot-com>

BTW...

If you really want to try something cool....

http://www.mcmaster-dot-com

Item 8184K11

Static-Dissipative Clear Polycarbonate Sheet 1/8" Thick, 12" X 12"
$ 28.23 Each

You just cut it out and replace the glass meter windows with it...  The 
edges need to be touching ground.  I think they vacuum deposit a thin layer 
of metal on the plastic...

Just a thought...

Cheers,

         Terry



At 09:14 PM 8/8/2004, you wrote:
>Folks, I need some advice.  I have 4 large analog meters of good quality
>(e.g. Simpson) to measure AC and DC volts and amps in my power controller.
>When I run my coil then shut it off, I notice some of the meter needles do
>not return to zero.  What happens is that the meter face accumulates a
>static electric charge, and that attracts and deflects the meter needles.
>Obviously, this destroys the accuracy of my meter readings.
>
>My temporary cure was to stretch some of the silvery conductive plastic
>(e.g. from bags used to ship PC boards) across the meter faces to prevent
>static charge accumulation.  But that makes the meters hard to read.
>
>Does anyone have some ideas on materials I can use that are both conductive
>and transparent?  Or some other technique to eliminate meter face static
>charge buildup from all the streamers flying around nearby?
>
>Thanks,
>--Steve Y.