Video about the danger (or otherwise) of static in dust extraction systems

[Mike313]

Hi Folks,
I thought some might be interested in this video. Just flagging it - I'm not saying I agree or disagree - just that it might make interesting viewing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ8NMYlhaLQ

Mike.

[Doug Barratt]

You don’t need to go to the trouble of copper wire & screws just stick aluminium tape along the length of the plastic ducting & connect that to earth, it will stop the build up of static.

I also have never heard of a fire caused by static in a small extraction system but I’ve had enough static shocks to now have my system earthed.

[Twisted Trees]

I actually found galvanised was cheaper than PVC and solves the problem intrinsically. dust fires from static sparks? possibly in flour mills where there is a lot of fine dust, but I tend to avoid sanding enough to create an explosive cloud! also never heard of anyone having the problem, except when using the same sanding belt for wood and metal.

[burywoodturners]

Try this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion#Sources_of_ignition. There are may others on youtube
Ron

[Twisted Trees]

Try this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_explosion#Sources_of_ignition. There are may others on youtube
Ron

All the examples cited do not include sawdust, so yes it is a potential risk but not seen specific sawdust examples yet...

[hughie]

I use PVC on my dust collector and  agree with the comments on the video. I have a background of over 20-30 years in Engineering  across 3 continents with dust and dust collectors and it that time I have only seen one dust fire. The ignition point in the fire was not static but rather a  hot slag sucked by the dust collector as it was being used to remove welding fumes.
But I have had many a conversation about this with little or no avail as to finding a point of agreement and so like wise I dont do 'the discussion' any more

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

I have seen 2 dust explosions in my time, the first when I worked in a furniture manufacturers after I left the forces, it was caused by a lighted cigarette
butt being sucked up the sweep up port. That was quite exciting at the time, but the more exciting one that I have witnessed (and I swear I didn't have that much to do with it) was when I was still in the forces and one time on exercise we taped a thunder flash to a bag of flour, from 1/4 mile away in the dark that looked like a nuclear explosion. I do miss those days sometimes....