(Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering

[David Dietrich]

Hi Everyone,

This has been happening to me frequently ever since I built my KAT-2.  I keep the solder I am using coiled in a spring shape in a small tube for easy application.  Every so often as I am touching the far end of the solder to either tin the tip of the iron, or else actually solder something, I get a little "nip" on my finger tip.  It feels like a sting/burn, and is no more painful than a pinprick.  I have a Weller WES-51 temp controlled soldering station that I got when I built my K1 a few years ago.  I take excellent care of my tools, so I am not sure what is going on.  This happens intermittently.  Any suggestions/ideas??

Thanks ES 73,

David
KC9EHQ
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[daleputnam]

Hi David,
  It sounds very much like static discharge. Do you have a wrist strap for ESD, or maybe you wear a watch (metal or with a metal band) and can make one easily?
  Does it happen every day, or is it more prevalent on some days ?
Does it ever happen with one hand on a grounded surface?
 

--... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy
 

> Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:08:11 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] (Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> This has been happening to me frequently ever since I built my KAT-2.  I keep the solder I am using coiled in a spring shape in a small tube for easy application.  Every so often as I am touching the far end of the solder to either tin the tip of the iron, or else actually solder something, I get a little "nip" on my finger tip.  It feels like a sting/burn, and is no more painful than a pinprick.  I have a Weller WES-51 temp controlled soldering station that I got when I built my K1 a few years ago.  I take excellent care of my tools, so I am not sure what is going on.  This happens intermittently.  Any suggestions/ideas??
>
> Thanks ES 73,
>
> David
> KC9EHQ
> ______________________________________________________________
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[David Dietrich]

Hi Dale,

I find it hard to believe it is ESD because my soldering station is grounded and ESD safe.  I wear a strap whenever I need to.  I work in my ham shack that is my unfinished basement where the temp and humidity stay pretty constant year round.  I wear clothes made mostly of cotton.  My only guess is that a wire in the cord from the main unit to the pencil is shorting or something, however my soldering station has never been abused or mistreated in any way.  Also, one would hope that the actual wired in the cord are insulated from each other.  This has only started to happen over the last week or so.

73,

David
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

David,

I would take an AC voltmeter to that iron (right after you turn it on so
it is not yet hot).  Measure between the iron tip and the AC safety
ground wire (round hole in the receptacle).  If you measure *any* AC
voltage at all, replace or repair that iron for your own safety's sake.

If you are unsure of whether the AC receptacle's "green wire safety
ground" is actually in-place and working, use one of the inexpensive
electrical receptacle testers at the receptacle - if you do not have
one, they are available at hardware and DIY stores.

If the AC safety ground is not intact and you have your ESD mat and
wrist strap connected to that ground, you may indeed have an ESD zap,
particularly if your work area is carpeted or the humidity is reduced
due to AC.

IMHO, that is something that must be investigated immediately before it
gets any worse and you end up with a good electrical shock - that could
be fatal.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/10/2011 3:15 PM, David Dietrich wrote:
> Hi Dale,
>
> I find it hard to believe it is ESD because my soldering station is grounded and ESD safe.  I wear a strap whenever I need to.  I work in my ham shack that is my unfinished basement where the temp and humidity stay pretty constant year round.  I wear clothes made mostly of cotton.  My only guess is that a wire in the cord from the main unit to the pencil is shorting or something, however my soldering station has never been abused or mistreated in any way.  Also, one would hope that the actual wired in the cord are insulated from each other.  This has only started to happen over the last week or so.
>
>
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[Fred Townsend]

No no! You are supposed to take nips of booze, not solder. You'll get lead
poisoning from solder. ;)

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Dietrich
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 11:08 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] (Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering

Hi Everyone,

This has been happening to me frequently ever since I built my KAT-2.  I
keep the solder I am using coiled in a spring shape in a small tube for easy
application.  Every so often as I am touching the far end of the solder to
either tin the tip of the iron, or else actually solder something, I get a
little "nip" on my finger tip.  It feels like a sting/burn, and is no more
painful than a pinprick.  I have a Weller WES-51 temp controlled soldering
station that I got when I built my K1 a few years ago.  I take excellent
care of my tools, so I am not sure what is going on.  This happens
intermittently.  Any suggestions/ideas??

Thanks ES 73,

David
KC9EHQ
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[David Dietrich]

Hi Don,

Thanks for the reply.  I hope I am doing this right...I attached an alligator clip to the ground pin on the power plug of the soldering station while it was plugged into the outlet.  I then attached the other end of the test lead to my DMM.  I also attached the lead to my iron tip per your instructions.  If this is the right way, I am getting no AC voltage read on my DMM in the 200 or 500 V setting.  I am going to Home Depot to get one of those line testers.


I unplugged the wand from the unit and inspected the cord.  It has no signs of wear or breakage.  The unit either resides on the workbench or is stored/transported in my toolbox.

I am guessing that this is a power outlet issue, as when I used my lighted magnifier, the bottom of my lip touched a metal handle and I got a tingling feeling. 


I am stopping the build until I can figure out exactly what the problem is.  The last thing I want to do is get really zapped or fry the K2 before it is ever really used.

73,

David



________________________________
From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
To: David Dietrich <[hidden email]>
Cc: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 2:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering

David,

I would take an AC voltmeter to that iron (right after you turn it on so it is not yet hot).  Measure between the iron tip and the AC safety ground wire (round hole in the receptacle).  If you measure *any* AC voltage at all, replace or repair that iron for your own safety's sake.

If you are unsure of whether the AC receptacle's "green wire safety ground" is actually in-place and working, use one of the inexpensive electrical receptacle testers at the receptacle - if you do not have one, they are available at hardware and DIY stores.

If the AC safety ground is not intact and you have your ESD mat and wrist strap connected to that ground, you may indeed have an ESD zap, particularly if your work area is carpeted or the humidity is reduced due to AC.

IMHO, that is something that must be investigated immediately before it gets any worse and you end up with a good electrical shock - that could be fatal.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/10/2011 3:15 PM, David Dietrich wrote:
> Hi Dale,
>
> I find it hard to believe it is ESD because my soldering station is grounded and ESD safe.  I wear a strap whenever I need to.  I work in my ham shack that is my unfinished basement where the temp and humidity stay pretty constant year round.  I wear clothes made mostly of cotton.  My only guess is that a wire in the cord from the main unit to the pencil is shorting or something, however my soldering station has never been abused or mistreated in any way.  Also, one would hope that the actual wired in the cord are insulated from each other.  This has only started to happen over the last week or so.
>
>
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

David,

You measured correctly - if and only if the AC safety wire is correct,
and the tester will tell you that.

I believe you have made a wise decision.  Electrical "tickles" like that
are a sign that something is unsafe in the AC wiring and should be
corrected before using that receptacle (or that tool if it is one tool
giving the problem.

You could have some other device sitting on your workbench and connected
to your house wiring that produces leakage currents as well - I trust
you are not working on a fully conductive surface (like a metal benchtop
or a metallic tray) - that is not safe around anything with power on it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/10/2011 4:28 PM, David Dietrich wrote:

> Hi Don,
>
> Thanks for the reply.  I hope I am doing this right...I attached an alligator clip to the ground pin on the power plug of the soldering station while it was plugged into the outlet.  I then attached the other end of the test lead to my DMM.  I also attached the lead to my iron tip per your instructions.  If this is the right way, I am getting no AC voltage read on my DMM in the 200 or 500 V setting.  I am going to Home Depot to get one of those line testers.
>
>
> I unplugged the wand from the unit and inspected the cord.  It has no signs of wear or breakage.  The unit either resides on the workbench or is stored/transported in my toolbox.
>
> I am guessing that this is a power outlet issue, as when I used my lighted magnifier, the bottom of my lip touched a metal handle and I got a tingling feeling.
>
>
> I am stopping the build until I can figure out exactly what the problem is.  The last thing I want to do is get really zapped or fry the K2 before it is ever really used.
>
> 73,
>
> David
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Don Wilhelm<[hidden email]>
> To: David Dietrich<[hidden email]>
> Cc: "[hidden email]"<[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 2:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering
>
> David,
>
> I would take an AC voltmeter to that iron (right after you turn it on so it is not yet hot).  Measure between the iron tip and the AC safety ground wire (round hole in the receptacle).  If you measure *any* AC voltage at all, replace or repair that iron for your own safety's sake.
>
> If you are unsure of whether the AC receptacle's "green wire safety ground" is actually in-place and working, use one of the inexpensive electrical receptacle testers at the receptacle - if you do not have one, they are available at hardware and DIY stores.
>
> If the AC safety ground is not intact and you have your ESD mat and wrist strap connected to that ground, you may indeed have an ESD zap, particularly if your work area is carpeted or the humidity is reduced due to AC.
>
> IMHO, that is something that must be investigated immediately before it gets any worse and you end up with a good electrical shock - that could be fatal.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 8/10/2011 3:15 PM, David Dietrich wrote:
>> Hi Dale,
>>
>> I find it hard to believe it is ESD because my soldering station is grounded and ESD safe.  I wear a strap whenever I need to.  I work in my ham shack that is my unfinished basement where the temp and humidity stay pretty constant year round.  I wear clothes made mostly of cotton.  My only guess is that a wire in the cord from the main unit to the pencil is shorting or something, however my soldering station has never been abused or mistreated in any way.  Also, one would hope that the actual wired in the cord are insulated from each other.  This has only started to happen over the last week or so.
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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[David Dietrich]

Hi Don,

Well, it is the outlet.  I just heard a pop and some pyrotechnics from my outlet!!!!  I bought the AC line tester at Wal-Mart.  I first plugged it in at my power strip on the desk.  It showed a n open ground.  I then tested it at the outlet at the surge protector.  OK.  I then removed the surge protector, and plugged the tester into the main outlet, and that is when I had the pop and pyrotechnics.  Thank God I was wearing shoes and only touching the tester, and the circuit breaker tripped!!

As for my workbench, it is made of MDF board.  I hope I did not kill any components from this issue.  However, I was able to power up things for the initial power on tests.

I am ceasing all work down there until I can get an electrician to check the outlet and wiring.  This house is only 22 years old, so it should be up to code.  We had it inspected when we bought it, and the inspector found no problems with the electrical.  We know the builders cut corners when they built this place.  I hope they didn't cut any with the electrical.

Thanks & 73,

David
KC9EHQ
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

David,

Use that newly acquired tester to test all the outlets in the house
(assuming it is still good).  Then have the electrician fix all of them
at once - much less expensive - only one trip charge.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/10/2011 5:25 PM, David Dietrich wrote:

> Hi Don,
>
> Well, it is the outlet.  I just heard a pop and some pyrotechnics from my outlet!!!!  I bought the AC line tester at Wal-Mart.  I first plugged it in at my power strip on the desk.  It showed a n open ground.  I then tested it at the outlet at the surge protector.  OK.  I then removed the surge protector, and plugged the tester into the main outlet, and that is when I had the pop and pyrotechnics.  Thank God I was wearing shoes and only touching the tester, and the circuit breaker tripped!!
>
> As for my workbench, it is made of MDF board.  I hope I did not kill any components from this issue.  However, I was able to power up things for the initial power on tests.
>
> I am ceasing all work down there until I can get an electrician to check the outlet and wiring.  This house is only 22 years old, so it should be up to code.  We had it inspected when we bought it, and the inspector found no problems with the electrical.  We know the builders cut corners when they built this place.  I hope they didn't cut any with the electrical.
>
> Thanks&  73,
>
> David
> KC9EHQ
> ______________________________________________________________
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[AC7AC]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[David Dietrich]

Thanks!! The original tester I bought is toast. I went to Home Depot to get a new outlet and cover. I also got a new tester that also tests GFI also. I installed the new outlet and cover and tested it. I got two amber lights. So that outlet is OK. I definitely plan on testing ALL the outlets in the house as well as mapping all the circuits in the house on the breaker.

Thanks and 73,

David

Sent from my iPod
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[Terry Schieler]

David,

When I built my house in 1997 I had it inspected by the County as required.  Four years later, while replacing a kitchen receptacle, I found that the receptacle did NOT have the safety ground attached to the ground terminal.  The wire was in the box, but not connected.

I then took the little LED tester to all the outlets in the house and found almost half were not grounded.  I redid them all myself and had it re-inspected.  The County had "no explanation" as to how the inspector missed all that.

No recourse from my builder as he was, at that time, in prison on unrelated matters.  ;o)

You made the right move here.  Now that you have invested in the tester, check all your outlets for proper wiring.  Never assume that the electrical contractor actually DID the work he was paid to do.  

73,

Terry, W0FM



-----Original Message-----
From: David Dietrich [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 4:25 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (Slightly O/T) Intermittent nips when soldering

Hi Don,

Well, it is the outlet.  I just heard a pop and some pyrotechnics from my outlet!!!!  I bought the AC line tester at Wal-Mart.  I first plugged it in at my power strip on the desk.  It showed a n open ground.  I then tested it at the outlet at the surge protector.  OK.  I then removed the surge protector, and plugged the tester into the main outlet, and that is when I had the pop and pyrotechnics.  Thank God I was wearing shoes and only touching the tester, and the circuit breaker tripped!!

As for my workbench, it is made of MDF board.  I hope I did not kill any components from this issue.  However, I was able to power up things for the initial power on tests.

I am ceasing all work down there until I can get an electrician to check the outlet and wiring.  This house is only 22 years old, so it should be up to code.  We had it inspected when we bought it, and the inspector found no problems with the electrical.  We know the builders cut corners when they built this place.  I hope they didn't cut any with the electrical.

Thanks & 73,

David
KC9EHQ

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