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jessejenks(at)hotmail.com
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 Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:30 am Post subject: AeroElectric-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/19/09 |
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Thanks guys. You both seem to be saying that bonding is important C and static wicks not so much. Just wondering why bonding?
Jesse
| Quote: | Time: 07:31:39 AM PST US
From: Harley <harley(at)AgelessWings.com>
Subject: Re: Static wicks
They can work to dissipate static if they are attached to a conducting
surface. That way C they can bypass whatever is creating the static and
insulating the object from a normal ground (like the plastic or rubber
tires on a fork lift).
But on many homebuilts C the plane is made of non conducting materials
(wood and fabric or fiberglass and/or epoxy) C and a static wick will
only discharge the point that it is attached. A couple of inches away
from that point C the charge remains as strong as ever.
I had many a discussion with fork lift drivers at Pennwalt when they
would attach a static wick to the plastic part of the frame on the truck
(it was easier to drill a hole into) C and then complain that they still
got zapped when they stepped off the truck. For those that really
thought they needed it C we would attach the wicks to the metal frame
under the truck. But C that often didn't help either C because the wick
was often dragging on a non conducting surface (epoxy sealed floors).
Also C the line operators used vacuum cleaners to pick up the spilled
foot powder...even though they used a so-called static proof hose (it
had a grounded wire spiraling along the length of it) they would still
get zapped when they put the hose down. The charge was decreased C
because of the presence of the wire C but still built up on the hose
between the wire coil wraps.
In short C you need a continuous conductive path to discharge a static
charge. From every area where the charge can build.
Harley
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jesse Jenks wrote:
> I have always wondered why (most) certified airplanes have static
> wicks C but not homebuilts? This makes me want to know what their
> actual function is? I was always taught "they dissipate static
> electricity". Is static really that big of an issue C and if so C do
> wicks actually make a difference? I'm building an all metal airplane C
> and so far have not given any thought to control surface bonding C or
> static wicks.
> Thanks.
|
[quote] Time: 09:23:39 AM PST US
From: BobsV35B(at)aol.com
Subject: Re: Static wicks
Good Morning Jesse C
I have almost no experience in homebuilt aircraft C but I do have several
thousand hours in aircraft that were equipped with static wicks and several
thousand hours in aircraft with no static wicks applied.
My suggestion would be to thoroughly bond all control surfaces C flaps
included C but not bother with static wicks unless you note a problem.
The static problem was greater in the days of low frequency radio. It was
not at all uncommon to lose all communication capability when we were using the
HF transmitters and receiving on low frequency. I have encountered
precipitation static strong enough to knock out VHF communications for just a
very few
minutes C but that has never lasted more than four or five minutes.
I have also experienced static discharges C but that has always been on
aircraft that were equipped with static wicks. There is no doubt that I have flown
in much heavier precipitation in static wick equipped airplanes than I have
in airplanes that are not so equipped C but I have flown both in some rather
severe situations.
Wait and see if you have a problem.
If you lose VHF navigation capability in a heavy thunderstorm C you may want
to add static wicks or you may just decide to stay out of such conditions!
In any case C I have never seen a GPS signal affected by any static build up.
The only time I would suggest using static wicks is if your only means of
navigation is a LORAN. Even then C you don't need it if you stay out of
precipitation.
Summary? Bonding YES C Static Wicks? NO
Happy Skies
Old Bob
AKA
Bob Siegfried
Ancient Aviator
628 West 86th Street
Downers Grove C IL 60516
630 985-8502
Stearman N3977A
Brookeridge Air Park LL22
In a message dated 1/19/2009 8:52:32 A.M. Central Standard Time C
jessejenks(at)hotmail.com writes:
I have always wondered why (most) certified airplanes have static wicks C but
not homebuilts? This makes me want to know what their actual function is? I
was always taught "they dissipate static electricity". Is static really that
big of an issue C and if so C do wicks actually make a difference? I'm building
an all metal airplane C and so far have not given any thought to control
surface bonding C or static wicks.
Thanks.
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BobsV35B(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject: AeroElectric-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/19/09 |
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Good Afternoon Jesse,
Bonding is easy, cheap, and light weight.
It will probably do some good. In any precipitation at all, different potentials will be built up on isolated components. If all of those isolated components are joined by grounding or bonding straps, any precipitation static that is produced will be minimized and most of it will be shed off the sharp edges of the tail feathers or the ailerons. If you add the static wicks, they will shed the static even better, but the static wicks are heavy, expensive and the most effective ones are so dangerous to personnel that they are generally removed when the airplane is not flying. I don't know if bonding mitigates ten percent of the static or ninety percent of the static, but it is extremely cost effective.
Happy Skies
Old Bob
AKA
Bob Siegfried
Ancient Aviator
628 West 86th Street
Downers Grove, IL 60516
630 985-8502
Stearman N3977A
Brookeridge Air Park LL22
In a message dated 1/21/2009 12:32:47 P.M. Central Standard Time, jessejenks(at)hotmail.com writes:
| Quote: | Thanks guys. You both seem to be saying that bonding is important, and static wicks not so much. Just wondering why bonding?
Jesse
|
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