We would like to share important information concerning grounding the body that everybody should read before purchasing any grounding solution. This information covers a brief history of 'grounding / earthing', the types of materials that are available to enable grounding to be effective, and probably the most important piece of information today, what Safety Features to look out for.
***************
Connecting the human body to the Earth using Conductive & Dissipative Materials is not a new concept.
In fact, in the UK & EU (and many other countries too), this simple process has been utilised in many ways, and for many reasons, for over 30 Years. Both inside and outside of Industry/Business. This 'connection' to the Earth is generically
referred to as 'being grounded' or 'grounding' (US terminology) and 'being earthed' or 'earthing' (British terminology). Conductive & Dissipative materials have been
used for many years for both 'Personal', and 'Personnel' 'Body Grounding' in order to 'equalise potential' between the Body and the Earth. However, this process of 'grounding the body' was specifially designed to Remove Excess Static Electricity from the body and sensitive electronic components with 100% Safety & Effectiveness in mind.
However, the concept of 'Earthing the Body' using far more conductive materials - especially at night time - for improving wellbeing is a new concept, and this is down to one person's vision and perseverance - that person is Clint Ober; co- Author of the best selling book in its' category: Earthing - The most important health discovery ever? Read our Articles Section on the Dangers of EMFs to understand the importance of reducing AC body Voltage.
For 'Grounding' purposes there are only three (3) types of material for the reader to consider: 1. Conductive, 2. Dissipative (also known as AntiStatic) and, 3. Insulative. An example of the difference in resistance to ground (measured in Ohms as rg) can be found in the following Industry Standard Table: Whilst this Table applies to flooring and footwear it is a good example of 'Primary Grounding'.
As an example, for any material (or substance) to be classified as being Conductive, and therefore able to offer excellent two way connection and interaction with the Earth, it must be in the range of 101 (or less) - 105 Ohms (resistance to ground, rg). Dissipative (antistatic) materials are found in the range of 106 - 1011 Ohms (though some
Industry Standards accept 1012). Insulative materials on the other hand - used as soles for almost ALL shoes today - totally insulate us from any connection and interaction with the earth/ground and any voltage discharge and consequential benefit this connection may provide.
In numerous tests that we have carried out using a professional AC voltage tester with true RMS capability and an accuracy of 0.05%, we have established that it is the resistance (or the level of conductivity) of the material being used for earthing/grounding purposes that actually makes the difference in body voltage reduction.
Therefore, the level of Body voltage reduction has - within certain limits - nothing to do with the 'inline resistors' built into the earthing leads and grounding plugs that are there to protect us from electric shock! We have tested a very conductive Barefoot Earthing Mat using a 100K Ohm Resistor with ground rod, and up to 3 x 1 Meg Ohm resistors 'in line' connected to a Mains Earth outlet, and the reduction in body voltage to extremely low mV has been the same on every occasion.
However, when we carried out the same tests on less conductive materials and dissipative materials, the reduction in body voltage was a lot less depending on the resistance/conductivity of the material used in the tests. We will be publishing our findings in the near future.
Remember, we have evolved with direct connection with the earth for thousands, if not millions of years, and this abiotic and biotic connection/interaction with nature has been vital to our health, development and
well being. So reconnection with the earth using the most conductive material is important on many levels. Ideally the reader should be looking at a material used for earthing/grounding that is no more than 100 x 103 Ohms in resistance per square, because the lower the 'resistance' the more conductive the material is. This allows for greater AC body voltage reduction, which in turn is better for the body and our wellbeing. Therefore, in our opinion less than 100K Ohms resistance is highly recommended - which would be written as < 100 x 103 Ohms. Though lower resistance levels are even better still at reducing body voltage!
We also offer UK Socket Checkers to easily establish if your sockets are wired correctly, and that you do have a valid Earth connection that can be used to safely Ground/Earth the Body.
All of our Connection Kits for Barefoot Connections Earthing Products meet all the relevant and required Health & Safety Standards for country of use, so your health is totally protected, yet you will still attain the best body voltage reduction available.
See Here For Barefoot Connections / EarthFX Earthing Product Range
See Online Catalogue or Contact for more details.
================================================================
==================================================================
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are, albeit just a few, web sites on the Internet circulating information and so-called science that would indicate to the reader that grounding the body may be dangerous!! This is simply not true. Their reasoning, science and method of testing is deeply flawed, on many levels. The 'science' and 'testing' assumes as fact that the body is a volume conductor when nothing could be
further from the truth! "Connecting the body to the earth essentially insulates the body from the influences of ambient electrical fields...Under these conditions, the body is maintained at the same electrical potential or voltage as the earth. Ambient fields cannot affect the potential on the body...Similarly, a body connected to the earth's infinite supply of electrons will be at the same electrical potential..." Oschman, James L, 2008. In other words, the 'field strength' or 'ambient field' that
the body is being subjected to would have to be able to change the entire field of the Earth before it could affect a change in the body. This is obviously impossible! To read more about why the body is not a simple 'volume conductor' and the benefits of being grounded click here
