Fried MTH Z750 Controller

Still needing ideas.

Zeke13

No ideas. Stuff happens. A friend (Tommy Z) told me years ago, "Joe, is you grounded?" Maybe consider plugging the replacement into a surge protector of some sort? Not sure.

On that score, I have an extra one (the Controller; not the transformer) laying around if you want or need it. Pay for shipping. 

-- Dr Joe

Dr. Joe,

Thanks.  I'll take you up on your offer.  Let me know the cost and how to pay you.  My brother was thinking about grounding himself when using the new controller.

Zeke13

Zeke,

Could be an issue with improper or no ground  on the electrical system.  How old is your Brother's residence?  Is the wiring up to date (3 wire)?  There should be ways to make the carpet insensitive to static electricity.  Other than that, ground yourself prior to touching electrical items.

bruce

The power brick that goes with the Z 750 has a two-prong plug so no appliance ground carry-through. I have a hard time thinking static could do that damage because everything one touches on the throttle unit is plastic, thus insulating the innards. But I'm also having a hard time figuring out scenario to account for bricking two Z750s in a row. 

Huh. I know the Z1000 has a circuit breaker in the power brick but how are the Z500 and Z750s overload protected? I don't remember a circuit breaker? Is it possible to fry them with a simple short circuit?

Lew

So far everyone in this post should read up on ESD. It will clear up the mystery of way two circuit boards were destroyed.

Have your brother touch something grounded before touching the controller. I do that before touching the electronic controller on the porch light switch.

The hard part is remembering to do it first - and the static shock, of course.

Bruce, the house wiring was upgraded to 3 wire.  Will need to look into grounding.

And as MILAN pointed out, will also need to look at ESD.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Zeke13

Well, I am a non believer.  Nothing metal on the controller.  Finding it hard to believe mere touching damaged something, and were still not sure what was damaged?  Did he some how connect something wrong?  Is the brick damaged and leaking AC Line voltage to the controller?  Is it attached wrong to the track. G

GGG,

I found it a little hard to understand myself.  Everything being plastic as you mentioned.  I often wonder why I get shocked, during the winter months, when I use a light switch, plastic toggle and wall plate and its grounded.  Static from walking across the carpet and dry air, I guess it has it dissipate some where.  May come back to MILAN's post and understanding ESD.   My brother is retired diesel mechanic, so I would find difficult to think something was connected wrong, also considering how MTH has everything color coded.  You asked if the brick was damaged and leaking AC Line voltage to the controller, for myself, how would one check for that?  If it requires checking inside the controller, are schematics available?.  For information purposes, I am in northern New Jersey and my brother/controller are in western Pennsylvania, thus I do not have direct access to the controller.

Usually plastic wall plates are fastened with a metal screw that has a path to ground. That's where the static discharge goes.

John H,

Hadn't thought about it like that.

Thanks,

Zeke13