Broken grounding post

[the_ward]

I accidentally broken my door grounding post off in my EBrew Supply panel. What’s the easiest way to fix this? Does it need to be welded or is there a way to solder?

 

[BeardedBrews]

Silver solder would work. There might also be a screw you could ground somewhere else, or you could check and see if the door is actually already grounded via the hinge.

 

[day_trippr]

Can't rely on a hinge to sink enough current to trip a breaker - that's why there's a safety ground wire to begin with.
Is the "splash" in that image indicating the original post was soldered? If so it should be rather easy to reflow the solder with the original post. Otherwise a strategically placed screw and a star washer under a binding nut should work...

Cheers!

 

[doug293cz]

Can't rely on a hinge to sink enough current to trip a breaker - that's why there's a safety ground wire to begin with.
Is the "splash" in that image indicating the original post was soldered? If so it should be rather easy to reflow the solder with the original post. Otherwise a strategically placed screw and a star washer under a binding nut should work...

Cheers!

I think there is a good chance that the grounding post was soldered, and that it was a "cold" solder joint. I don't see any evidence of the solder wetting on the pulled-off ground post, which there should be if this was a good solder joint. A better focus picture would be good, but based on what I can see, I'd call it a manufacturing defect.

If you have experience with silver solder and flux, you could fix this. Or, as @day_trippr suggests, add a machine screw, star washer, and nut somewhere unobtrusive.

Brew on

 

[processhead]

I wouldn't rely on a soldered stud for a ground connection. Not really a mechanically robust way to create a bonding point, even when soldered properly.
Probably more durable and simpler to just drill a small hole in the panel and use a nut and machine screw for the ground wire.

 

[the_ward]

Thanks for the responses I also reached out to EBrew Supply last night and he advised a new ground point on the door is not necessary due to the entire box is grounded because it is metal and not painted.

 

[day_trippr]

That then relies on hinges to conduct enough current to trip a service breaker should the door get energized.
No bueno, would never pass a UL/CE/CSA certification.

Cheers! (and Vaya con Dios)

 

[golfindia]

UL/CE/CSA. LOL....

I doubt that ground posts and hinged doors are ruining anyones dream of getting their brew controller UL certified

;^)

 

[day_trippr]

Fine, it's not like those agencies' rules are intended to prevent harm

Whatevs, imo it's a stupid risk to take on given the cost of eliminating a potential hazard...

Cheers!

 

[the_ward]

My plan is to see what options are available to ground to a screw on the door. I am from that standpoint of better be safe than sorry.

 

[Spartan1979]

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/control-panel-part-1?page=7

 

[the_ward]

would the screw on the latch count as a possible door grounding point? The it’s all metal and is in contact with door panel.

 

[day_trippr]

For the same reason as a hinge, no. You cannot assure a low enough impedance through the lock.
But, you could obtain (or make) a large diameter ring or fork terminator that could sit under the nut holding the lock in place...

Cheers!