Conductive Strips

[David Neevel]

"Mark C. Orton" wrote:

> On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 19:12:15 GMT, todd@fakemail.org wrote:
>
> Actually, the rules (m.56) say "Conductive strips should be grounded
> through the spool rather than at the center of the strip."
>

That rule is obsolete. On modern (i.e., 3-weapon) boxes, the weapon C-line and
the
strip 'ground' are not the same node (and neither of them are earth-ground), and
running the strip through one of the reels will produce some very odd results
(like sabers registering a touch when they hit the strip-- saw that at a
tournament last year with an Allstar 3-W box when someone connected the strip to
the reel).

-Dave

[todd@fakemail.org]

OK. This may fall into the "stupid question" category. I'm sure for some of
you it may be second nature. I'm interested in grounded strips. I've
done some research, but have no practical experience (ie I hail from a very
poor club), and I haven't found a source for anything close to complete
info. In addition, I have a basic understanding of electronics. So...

I know the rules say that the strip must be grounded through the center and
have resistance of less than 5 ohms. How is the strip grounded? Is it
grounded through the machine? If not connected to the machine, how does it
ground out the Feel free to be as detailed as you want, I'll decipher any
unknown terms.

Todd

[Aaron Caba]

todd@fakemail.org wrote:

> OK. This may fall into the "stupid question" category. I'm sure for some of
> you it may be second nature. I'm interested in grounded strips. I've
> done some research, but have no practical experience (ie I hail from a very
> poor club), and I haven't found a source for anything close to complete
> info. In addition, I have a basic understanding of electronics. So...
>
> I know the rules say that the strip must be grounded through the center and
> have resistance of less than 5 ohms. How is the strip grounded? Is it
> grounded through the machine? If not connected to the machine, how does it
> ground out the Feel free to be as detailed as you want, I'll decipher any
> unknown terms.
>
> Todd

The machine usually has a little socket marked with a ground symbol.
You just run a wire from the gound socket on the box to the strip. Most
ground wires have an appropriate plug on one end for the box usually a
banana plug, and the other end has a paper clip soldered to the wire.
Just attach the paperclip to the strip, and the strip is grounded. Make
sure the tape the ground wire to the floor so the fencers don't
trip/tear it out while fencing.

Aaron Caba

[Mark C. Orton]

On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 19:12:15 GMT, todd@fakemail.org wrote:

> OK. This may fall into the "stupid question" category. I'm sure for some of
> you it may be second nature. I'm interested in grounded strips. I've
> done some research, but have no practical experience (ie I hail from a very
> poor club), and I haven't found a source for anything close to complete
> info. In addition, I have a basic understanding of electronics. So...
>
> I know the rules say that the strip must be grounded through the center

Actually, the rules (m.56) say "Conductive strips should be grounded
through the spool rather than at the center of the strip."

> and
> have resistance of less than 5 ohms. How is the strip grounded?

Most machines have a socket that you can plug a wire into to connect
them to the strip. But, as noted above, this is not the way the FIE
prefers it to be done.

Reels (or spools, depending on which side of the Atlantic you're on)
often have an additional socket, next to the floor cable socket, to
connect the reel to the conductive strip. This connects the strip to
the machine through the "C" line of the floor cable. It's probably OK
to connect both reels to the strip to provide a level of redundancy in
foil and epee. In sabre this will neutralize the whipover detection
circuit, as the machine will see the blades being constantly in
contact with one another, so only connect one reel for sabre.

As for how you connect the machine/reel to the strip, all it takes is
a wire with a banana plug at one end (for the machine/reel) and an
alligator clip at the other (for the strip). Tape over the alligator
clip with duct tape after you attach it; otherwise you can be certain
that someone will accidentally kick it off when they're walking by.

-Mark-

[Fencerbill]

In article <40205f2a.3054422@news.verizon.net>, ortonmc+rsf@erols.com (Mark C.
Orton) writes:

>Reels (or spools, depending on which side of the Atlantic you're on)
>often have an additional socket, next to the floor cable socket, to
>connect the reel to the conductive strip. This connects the strip to
>the machine through the "C" line of the floor cable. It's probably OK
>to connect both reels to the strip to provide a level of redundancy in
>foil and epee. In sabre this will neutralize the whipover detection
>circuit, as the machine will see the blades being constantly in
>contact with one another, so only connect one reel for sabre.

There are some machines, notably the SG-12, that will not work properly for
Epee (or is it Foil?) if they are grounded from only one reel.

I have never seen a problem with grounding from the machine to the strip.

Interesting enough. it seems you can connect multiple machines to a single
grounded surface. This is how some clubs are arranged, with the whole surface
grounded.

Bill Hall