[TowerTalk] Mast Grounding

[Grant Saviers]

If the mast isn't otherwise grounded, it makes sense to protect the ball 
bearings in your rotor and thrust bearing if a ball bearing design.  
Otherwise, static charge from wind or atmospherics will conduct through 
the bearing, eroding the ball and race surfaces over time.  Here is a 
reference re motors that discusses the issues  
http://www.plantservices.com/articles/2007/022.html

Many generations of disk drives had spindle grounding brushes to improve 
bearing life and because the static discharge was picked up by the coil 
in the head and caused a transient error.

Or you could you a conductive grease in the bearings,   see  
http://www.nyelubricants.com/products/elec_conductive.shtml

Grant  KZ1W

On 11/15/2010 7:20 AM, Mark Robinson wrote:
> Is there any advantage in connecting a grounding loop between the mast and
> the adjacent tower leg?
>
>
> Mark N1UK
>
>