Which elements compose a personnel ground device?

Which elements compose a personnel ground device?

• A. Conductive bracelet, a 200K ohm resistor, a length of #18 standard copper insulated wire and a clip / clamp, connected in series and attached to an adequate ground.
• B. Conductive bracelet, a 200K ohm resistor, a length of #20 standard copper insulated wire and a clip / clamp, connected in series and attached to an adequate ground.
• C. Conductive bracelet, a 2K ohm resistor, a length of #20 standard copper insulated wire and a clip / clamp, connected in series and attached to an adequate ground.
• D. Conductive bracelet, a 200K ohm resistor, a length of #22 standard copper insulated wire and a clip / clamp, connected in series and attached to an adequate ground.

Answer: (B)

When building a personnel grounding device, the aim is to provide a safe path to ground while keeping any fault current through you extremely low. The wrist strap is worn on the skin and connects in series to a resistor and a grounding lead so that if the strap touches a live part, the current is limited to a safe level. A high-value resistor, such as 200 kΩ, ensures the current remains well under harmful levels, even if a fault occurs. The ground lead, made with a suitable insulated copper wire, provides the actual path to the grounded point, and the clip or clamp attaches to a proper ground. Everything is wired in series so the current flows through the wrist strap, then through the resistor, along the wire, and finally to ground. Choosing a 200 kΩ resistor with a #20 gauge wire balances safety and practicality. A much smaller resistor (like 2 kΩ) would allow more current to flow if a live contact were made, which could be dangerous. A wire gauge that's too thick or too thin can be unwieldy or prone to damage, whereas #20 offers a reasonable combination of flexibility, durability, and ease of use. The clip or clamp ensures a solid ground connection. Thus, the proper elements are a conductive bracelet, a 200 kΩ resistor, a length of #20 insulated copper wire, and a clip/clamp, all in series and connected to an adequate ground.

When building a personnel grounding device, the aim is to provide a safe path to ground while keeping any fault current through you extremely low. The wrist strap is worn on the skin and connects in series to a resistor and a grounding lead so that if the strap touches a live part, the current is limited to a safe level. A high-value resistor, such as 200 kΩ, ensures the current remains well under harmful levels, even if a fault occurs. The ground lead, made with a suitable insulated copper wire, provides the actual path to the grounded point, and the clip or clamp attaches to a proper ground. Everything is wired in series so the current flows through the wrist strap, then through the resistor, along the wire, and finally to ground.

Choosing a 200 kΩ resistor with a #20 gauge wire balances safety and practicality. A much smaller resistor (like 2 kΩ) would allow more current to flow if a live contact were made, which could be dangerous. A wire gauge that's too thick or too thin can be unwieldy or prone to damage, whereas #20 offers a reasonable combination of flexibility, durability, and ease of use. The clip or clamp ensures a solid ground connection.

Thus, the proper elements are a conductive bracelet, a 200 kΩ resistor, a length of #20 insulated copper wire, and a clip/clamp, all in series and connected to an adequate ground.