Replies

1. 
   Manchild | Jan 14, 2004 10:16pm | #1

   I'm no expert, but... From what I've gathered plastics shed electrons in the form of static electricity. So if you use plastic pipe for dust ducts you take a # 14 copper ground wire and wrap it anound the outside or the duct in a spiral and ground it to the machine and the dust colector. It probably woundn't hurt to ground it to a ground rod either.

1. 
   ELVY | Jan 15, 2004 07:03am | #3

   thanks.

2. 
   GHR | Jan 15, 2004 03:55am | #2

   There is no risk.

1. 
   ELVY | Jan 15, 2004 07:03am | #4

   thanks.

1. 
   Hophornbeam | Jan 15, 2004 08:53am | #5

   I've read a handful of articles on the subject. Some say there is a risk of fire or explosion, some say not.

   While vacuuming the sawdust from my cabinet saw the other night I was treated to repeated shocks from the static build up in the plastic hose. The saw dust was standing up on the exterior of the hose. This has never happened to me before. The conditions must have been just right, but it kind of makes me wonder about the no risk comment.

   I Know from my fire fighting experience that grain dust and static electricity can be a deadly combination.

1. 
   ELVY | Jan 18, 2004 08:46pm | #8

   the only time i notice the static is when I am using the 3 x24 belt sander exhausting to a 2 1/2" vacuum pipe to a 4" pipe, i can see and feel the fine dust static coming from the small pipe ,I cant say if I have noticed this incident through the 4" pipe,and my basement shop that is 15'x22' has good ventilation with a ext.door ent. and a sliding glass window which can also house an exhaust fan when the fine dust is really high and floating in the air. Living in Southern Ontario the winters can be very dry sometimes.  Thanks for your reply.

3. 
   rslatm | Jan 15, 2004 06:11pm | #6

   There is a lot more to the subject than even mentioned here. You should get Sandor's book on dust collection on Taunton press...available on this site.  One thing of many not mentioned here is dust versus chips. A local shop  was required by the fire department to  use a seperate dust collector for his stroke sander because the fine dust is what's more explosive. Chips from planing and sawing is in a different classification.
1. 
   ELVY | Jan 18, 2004 08:58pm | #9

   I agree,the static comes from the fine dust because when I install  a hose to the fence on the router table I do not notice this incident or bandsaw etc. except on my 3"x24" belt sander exhausting to a 2 1/2 pipe into a 4" inlet . Thanks for input.         

4. 
   HowardAcheson | Jan 15, 2004 06:20pm | #7

   Here is the full text of an article that appeared in Fine Woodworking a couple of years ago in excerpted form.

   http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rodec/woodworking/articles/DC_myths.html

   Let me also say, PVC does not conduct electricity. There for the static electricity that forms on the outside is only discharged where a grounding wire is in contact. If you put your finger between the conductor spirals, you will get shocked.