Grounding PVC Dust Collection System

I removed my grounds when I had a PVC dust pipe setup. It caused many more problems than it was worth.

Since I live ~ 20 minutes from Manchester, I can even claim a similar climate. <g>

Check this out on PVC Grounding.

I didn’t see a single benefit from the grounds over three years, so out they went.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Thank you BPBarry! That article was very interesting.

Have you ever gotten a shock from your system?

-- Chip -- Manchester, Connecticut "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."

Yup. Even with the ground wires! <g>

First, my grounds were heavy bare copper wires inside the pipes, they clogged miserably. Next, I went to screws, a little better, but they still clogged. Then I totally removed the grounds and noticed two things… No more clogs, and noticeable difference in static electricity.

Now I have metal duct going to a cyclone, and I still occasionally get shocks from the 8’ flex hose I use to connect my “misc port” to the drum stander, bandsaw, portable planer, and mortiser. In the shop photos on my profile, you’ll see this over my jointer. Small chips will stand on end, just as they did with grounds.

About two years after I ditched the grounds, I found that article. They guy seems to have really done his homework related to combustible mixtures, and actually includes references.

I still have never seen a documented explosion of a wood shop dust collection system due to static. The article did make me rethink grinding metal into a DC pipe, like belt sander sharpening, and how I act after an accidental metal strike, as in a hidden screw or nail.

I hope I can save you the time and expense I wasted.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

I also have a ClearVue and love it. I used 1/2 inch screws to avoid the clogs, and ran braided copper wire between all of the joints, then connected it to a ground wire in an electrical box. I think it did gave me less static shocks, but since re-configuring the duct work, I have not hooked up the ground and can not tell a major difference. However, if you go near the cyclone unit while it is running, it will stand your hair on end, and the metallic portion of the filters will give you a strong jolt. Mine is in another room, so no big deal.
Enjoy the new DC,
Gary