Desco Europe ESD - Questions And Answers

When working around high line voltage equipment how important is it to have a one megohm resistor in the circuit? - Anonymous

When working with voltages over 250 VAC, ESD personnel grounding should not be used, rather ionization may be required to neutralize electrostatic charges. As important as ESD control is, it is of secondary importance compared to employee safety. Questions regarding safety should be answered by the facility’s safety officer. The safety officer and ESD Coordinator should be aware of this information.ANSI/ESD S20.20 -1999 states: “Paragraph 5. PERSONNEL SAFETY - The Procedures and equipment described in this document may expose personnel to hazardous electrical conditions. Users of this document are responsible for selecting equipment that complies with applicable laws, regulatory codes and both external and internal policy. Users are cautioned that this document cannot replace or supersede any requirements for personnel safety. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and other safety protection should be considered wherever personnel might come into contact with electrical sources. Electrical hazard reduction practices should be exercised and proper grounding instructions for equipment must be followed.” There is always a safety concern when working around high voltage. All electrical wiring and ground connections should adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC) as governed by OSHA. Per ESD Association ADV-2.0-1994, Safety rules for working with high voltages should dictate the design of the workstation.

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