Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 11:36:22 -0600
Message-ID: <000E3E3E.C21030@molex.com>
From: edechazal@molex.com
Subject: Gas filler neck grounding
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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There's something wrong with the thinking recently on grounding the airplane to
prevent sparks during fueling.  The E-glass lancairs don't conduct electricity
through the structure.  At least, mine doesn't.  The only thing that can spark
is the filler neck as a result of any charge it alone might have built up.  This
filler neck is electrically insulated from everything else including the fuel
since the tank is probably not full when the line boy pulls up.  The filler neck
is also electrically insulated from any grounding wire the line boy attaches to
the nose gear or any other metal piece.  So how much charge can the fuel filler
neck accumulate?  I suspect not much, which is also supported by the lack of
catastrophic events.  If this is the case, then it seems unwise to mess with the
situation by connecting the filler neck to additional metal parts that might
contribute to building a charge.  I missed a few posts, so If this is ground
already covered, my aplogies.

Ed de Chazal
Rochester, Michigan
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