The wrist strap should conduct, but for safety reasons the resistance to
ground is very very high. EIA 625 calls for no more than .5mA at the
highest voltage encountered. So 100V/.0005 (for example)is 200K. Seems
like 1M might be a typical value but I'm not sure why I think that.

Al Williams
AWC
* Easy RS-232 Prototyping
http://www.al-williams.com/awce/rs1.htm



> -----Original Message-----
> From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Fowler, Paul B.
> Sent: Monday, March 18, 2002 8:42 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: [OT] Time to really show how dumb I am
>
>
> I am so embarrassed,
>
> Can someone explain how anti-static wristbands are suppose to
> work?  I always thought it was - they touch me, they touch
> the ground, I am therefore touching a ground.
>
> I can't find this on the net, and I figured it would be a
> no-brainer.  They should conduct?  I have bought two
> different brands and neither one conducts.  At least I can't
> get small current to run through them.
>
> What am I doing wrong or how is my thinking wrong?  I simply
> put a 12V potential difference across both ends and attached
> an amp meter and nothing...  I would think these are
> defective, but two of them from different companies?
>
> Is it o.k. to attach them to the ground of my Power supply?
> I use a PC power supply that I took out of an old PC.  I am
> now questioning everything that should be simple no-brainer.
>
> Did I just get two defective wrist bands????  Grounds are no
> good if they don't conduct! Right?????  AAArrrggghhh.  I know nothing.
>
> Please help explain this very simple concept to me.
>
> I will not mention my name - don't look at the "From" on the screen.
>
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