Curbing Static

by Julie Kirst 5/4/2010 2:35:00 PM

In early April we posted a blog on behalf of Biomed Don Hang who works in a clinical engineering department in Ohio. He was interested in your suggestions about some design ideas he had. Once again on his behalf we invite your input.

Don says he thinks that, “Utilizing ground chains or ground brush wheels would help so that larger instruments (like anesthesia, neonate/infant incubators, warmers, etc) do not pick up static charge—which I have always felt probably does not help the electronics and definitely does not make the technician on the receiving end of static shock any more comfortable.”

What do you think? Any suggestions on how to implement this? Click on the comment link and let Don know how to accomplish this. Thanks!

 

 

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Comments

Posted by vsarmiento, 5/7/2010 6:42:00 AM

A lot of different and very expensive solutions were tried and implemented early on hoping to solve and address any static electricity related problems in the hospital.   Solutions ranged from as simple as attaching and dragging  what you call as grounding chains or brushes, to installing expensive conductive floorings throughout, which also required to be tested regularly to ensure proper ground conductivity,  to equipment having expensive conductive wheels and casters installed as well requiring staff to wear booties with conductive strips.  

Controlling the generation of static electricity proved to be the easiest and cheapest solution.  By controlling and maintaining proper humidity level throughout the facility is one,  ensuring all building and equipment shells, housings and chassis are properly grounded,  ensuring all building grounds tied together to a common point preventing static build up and to avoid or minimize ground loops will ensure minimum static accumulation if not 100% static free environment.

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