Image shows some of the steps of grounding as ESD floor as a background. The title How to Ground an ESD Floor is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and and the Staticworx logo below
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Image shows some of the steps of grounding as ESD floor as a background. The title How to Ground an ESD Floor is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and and the Staticworx logo below
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Identifying a Proper Path to Ground

Several acceptable methods are used to ground static control flooring depending on local codes, the job conditions, and the personal preference of the contractor. The three most widely used paths to ground are:

AC WALL OUTLET
(circuit ground – most common,
shown in example below)

GROUNDING ROD
(natural earth ground)

Illustration shows a rod driven into the ground with only 2 or 3 inches of the rod remaining exposed. A copper-grounding strap is attached to the exposed end of the rod using a grounding clamp.

EARTH GROUND
(BUS bar, building steel)

Illustration of copper bus bars
CAUTION: Only use electrical receptacles/outlets that have been previously tested using an approved circuit tester complying with CSA and/or UL standards.
Illustration of structural I-beams
NOTE: One copper grounding strap should be installed for every 1,000 square feet of ESD flooring. Each room should have a minimum of one connection to ground.

Installing a Ground Connection

METHOD 1: CIRCUIT GROUND

The ground connection should be installed after the primer has been applied and is dry to the touch—before applying the conductive topcoat (fig.1). When applied, the conductive topcoat will cover the grounding strap (fig. 2).
Required Materials:
  • Screwdriver
  • 24-inch copper grounding strap
  • Conductive adhesive (not necessary if using peel-and-stick grounding tape)

STEP 1: Remove the center screw on the cover of an AC electrical outlet using a screwdriver. Then, locate and remove the grounding screw inside of the outlet. This is most often found near the bottom of the receptacle.

STEP 2: Punch a small hole in the 24” copper grounding strap. The hole should be smaller than the head of the screw removed in Step 1. Secure the copper strap to the AC electrical outlet with this screw and reattach the outlet cover.

STEP 3: Affix the Copper Grounding Strap to the Floor
StaticWorx most often supplies a special adhesive-backed copper tape for grounding floor coating installations. Affix the grounding strap to the epoxy primer by removing the backing and exposing the factory-applied adhesive. Run the copper strip down the wall and lay it directly onto the floor, extending approximately 6 inches or more into the room. In most cases, this will create a 90-degree right angle perpendicular to the wall (fig. 3). When installing a non-adhesive grounding strap, a small amount of conductive adhesive shall be used to secure the copper strap in place (fig. 4 & 5).

STEP 4: Install the conductive urethane topcoat material, coating over the copper strap on the floor (see coating installation instructions for details). For a cleaner looking installation, the copper strap should be covered by wall base after the coating has cured.

METHOD 2: NATURAL EARTH GROUND

If the floor will be installed on-grade or below grade, a copper grounding rod can be driven into the ground, creating an earth ground for the floor.

Required Materials:
  • Ground Rod
  • Grounding Clamp
  • 24-inch copper grounding strap
  • #10 or #12 gauge insulated copper wire (optional)
  • Conductive adhesive (not necessary if using peel-and-stick grounding tape)

STEP 1: Drive the 4- to 6-foot rod into the ground until only 2 or 3 inches of the rod remains exposed. The floor coating shall then be installed per StaticWorx written instructions.

STEP 2: Affix the copper strip to the conductive floor coating using the self-adhesive copper grounding tape or a non-adhesive copper grounding strap, attaching with conductive adhesive, as described in Method #1. Leave approximately 10-12 inches of the copper strip exposed. This end of the grounding strap will be attached to the grounding rod.

Illustration shows a rod driven into the ground with only 2 or 3 inches of the rod remaining exposed. A copper-grounding strap is attached to the exposed end of the rod using a grounding clamp.

STEP 3: Attach the copper grounding strap to the exposed end of the rod using a grounding clamp, usually sourced from the same manufacturer as the grounding rod (refer to www.stormgrounding.com). If necessary, a #10 or #12 wire can be attached to the grounding rod.

STEP 4: Run the wire from the rod to the grounding strap and tie it to the strap with a wire nut.

METHOD 3: EARTH GROUND

METHOD 3: EARTH GROUND If the building is constructed with exposed steel support columns, the copper grounding strap can be attached directly to one or more of the columns. The beams must be made of bare metal. Paints and coatings must be removed from beams prior to attaching copper straps. Alternatively, copper BUS bars can also serve as a dedicated Common Point ESD Flooring Ground Connection.

Required Materials: 
  • 24-inch copper grounding strap
  • Power Drill
  • Grounding screw or clamp
  • Conductive adhesive (not necessary if using peel-and-stick grounding tape)

STEP 1: Affix the copper grounding strap or tape to the conductive floor coating as described in Method #2.

STEP 2: Drill a hole in the support column.

STEP 3: With a grounding screw or clamp, attach the end of the copper strap directly to the column. Mount a grounding clamp to the column and use it to clamp the copper strap. Copper grounding straps should be attached to aluminum studs using sheet metal screws and a washer.

STEP 4: A continuity test should be conducted with a volt ohm meter (VOM) to confirm a compliant electrical ground connection between the copper strap and electrical ground.

Illustration of exposed steel support columns

Get in Touch

The form below will help us better understand your needs and get you as quickly as possible to the right person. We look forward to helping you solve your static problem! 

You can expect a response within 24 hours. For faster service, please give us a call: 617-923-2000

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Background graphic is a still from the StaticWorx GroundSafe ESD Flooring – Your Trusted Partner explainer animation. In the foreground at the bottom are two boxes. The top is a bright blue with the StaticWorx logo and "GroundSafe ESD Flooring" underneath in white. The second is a dark blue-gray and includes the text in white: “GroundWorx ESD Flooring – Your Trusted Partner”
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StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity. ESD flooring is part of a system. Choices should always be based on objective, researched evidence. When you partner with us, we look at all possible items that may need to integrate with the floor, and, focusing on your goals and objectives, help you find the right floor for your application.

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Email: [email protected]

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“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”

Share This

Get in Touch

East Coast: 617-923-2000
Email: [email protected]

subscribe to newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and occasional updates.

The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.

Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.

Get in Touch

East Coast: 617-923-2000
Email: [email protected]

“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”

Share This

subscribe to newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and occasional updates.

The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.

Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.

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