how to connect Earth so it can act as return path

[larten]

how to connect Earth to board so it can act as return path

Hi,
I wonder how to connect Earth to board so that it act as a return path.
One of my seniors advices me that connect Earth to the ground of board near the terminal so it can act as return path for ESD.
Is there any other consideration for connecting Earth to the board?
I will appreciate if you recommend me any application note or book

 

[BradtheRad]

There are usually 2 ways to connect to earth (soil):

* metal plumbing / heating

* third (ground) wire of house AC, if you live in USA.

You only need one method.

Be careful to make sure you connect to the real ground wire, not the neutral or live wire.

In the case of plumbing, there may be plastic pipes somewhere. It is wise to make a continuity check somehow (probably with long wires), in order to make sure the pipes really do conduct electricity all the way to the soil.

 

[techgreed]

Dear larten,
What we normally do is to to define to define an earth plane near the board edge and and connect this plane 'strongly' to EARTH wire . The earth plane would be connected(either directly or by using ferrite beads) to the normal GND plane in the board at 3 or 4 points. All the lines which go out of the board are provided with filter caps which are connected to the earth plane.

 

[marce]

Read up on Henry Otts recommendations...

http://www.hottconsultants.com/

You are referring to Protective Earth connection of the mains supply I presume.
For static you want the smallest possible loop for the current to drain away...