Abstract: A method of controlling and monitoring voltage potential on a human body that includes the following steps: a) Connecting the human body to a “Quasi Virtual Ground”; b) Providing contact with the human skin via one or more silver/silver chloride electrodes; c) Continuously monitoring the triboelectric current i(t) flowing into the “Quasi Virtual Ground” terminal; d) Determining whether or not a person is properly wearing his/her body electrode; e) Including circuitry that immediately interrupts the path-to-ground when a dangerously large current is detected; f) Including circuitry that immediately interrupts the path-to-ground when the power supply to the workstation monitor is interrupted, either intentionally or accidentally.

Abstract: A circuit and device to detect grounding problems in electrical soldering irons. The device includes a cleaning sponge in electrical connection with a sensor element. The sensor element is connected to the controlling circuitry which is in turn connected to a safety grounding point, such as a screw of a face plate of an electrical outlet. The circuitry includes LED's which indicate when the grounding mechanism is functional, and when the grounding connection is broken. Additional circuitry tests for a low impedance path to ground via a sensor element contacted by the soldering iron tip or (in the case of an isolated tip) the soldering iron heater barrel. Further circuits indicate when the cleaning sponge has gone dry, and when the operator has an unsafe level of electrostatic charge.

Abstract: An electrometer that is able to measure the potential difference of an electrostatically charged body without causing a rapid discharge of the subject charge. The electrometer has an input impedance that is in excess of 100 gigohms. The input impedance is created by an active voltage divider. The active voltage divider is a unique circuit which instead of the typical voltage divider that utilizes a passive resistive divider and an op amp in a voltage follower configuration, uses an amplifier configuration that attenuates its input signal. One result of this configuration is that the input line can then be guarded. This allows the device to be supplied with probes that are not subject to typical elements of degradation of the input signal with distance from the circuit, e.g. parasitic capacitance and bandwidth limitations.