I'm new to the Arduino & working electronics in general. I know theres supposedly minimal risk of danger when using the Arduino however I want to be 100% confident I'll be safe while using it. I am in need of an object I can build my circuits on which fits the following requirements. This object should be similar to a mat or tray.
Requirements:
Must be portable
Must be able to fit all (or most of) my components on it
Must be washable (obviously I'll make sure it's dry before use) - (preferably in washing-mashine/dishwasher) - There will be no electronics on it during the washing procedure
Must be less than 35 inches/35" - within horizontal length when flat
Must not be too expensive (under $100/£100)
Must not be a conductor / Must be an insulator (to protect me and other/s from electric shock)
Must not be flammable (to protect me and other/s from burn/fire)
Thank you. Also if you could recommend non-dangerous clothing which will further protect me from electric shock such as rubber gloves.
And please say where I can obtain these/this item from.
I guess I'm referring to a surface that I can work on, Something i can take to other places without too much difficulty (I can't move a kitchen-table). Something which can sit on a table-top or a bed...
Please note this is just for building temporary circuits on and for using a breadboard.
Also I'm just trying to minimise danger to myself as much as possible - I'm not very worried about ESD unless it is a safety hazard.
All those things do no good unless you also use an ESD wrist strap with the wire connected to your grounded work space. You should also either use foot straps on both shoes to make a high resistance connection to a conductive floor. Bare, clean concrete will work. You can also go barefoot. Also, wear only non-synthetic clothing.
This will make your project ESD safe, but you seem to ask for personal safety, that we cannot help with.
Ardune:
Must be washable (obviously I'll make sure it's dry before use) - (preferably in washing-mashine/dishwasher)
That is a tricky one.
Electronic circuits do not generally like water.
From a safety point of view if you are using the like of pen cells as a power supply you should be ok so long as you do not put them through the washing machine.
If I'm soldering or gluing I use something that isn't damaged by heat - an old granite cutting board with some self-adhesive rubber pads on the back that I rescued from someone's pile of scrap.
Both of these can be scraped/scrubbed clean in a bowl of soapy water. Stuff can be held on them with a dab of blu-tack to stop it sliding around.
If you stay within the usual voltages for these kinds of things--around 12 volts or less--there is zero chance of harm from electrocution. Sometimes components or wires can get very hot--burning up hot--if they're connected wrong--typically V+ to ground. So you have to be careful of that.
As for a surface to work on, I use one of these on a desk: www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Anti-Static-Components-Other-RTK-ASM/dp/B004N96WQ0
You can find them in different sizes. Also available from most electronics suppliers. But for what it's worth, in many years of tinkering with electronics, not always working with such protection, I've never had a static-damaged part.
Anyhow, best of luck with a fascinating pastime,
Michael
The stuff that @Ardune has listed in his Original Post do not demonstrate any understanding of the risks. Safety is only achieved by understanding the risks and avoiding the dangerous things.
The one very obvious thing that is completely missing from the Original Post is any reference to mains electricity and that IMHO is where the greatest risk of death or serious injury exists if the appropriate equipment and precautions are not used.
The other substantial risk - perhaps more probable - is the improper use of LiPo batteries resulting in a fire or explosion.
To be honest, the list in the Original Post seems more appropriate to food preparation than to programming.
The stuff that @Ardune has listed in his Original Post do not demonstrate any understanding of the risks. Safety is only achieved by understanding the risks and avoiding the dangerous things.
The one very obvious thing that is completely missing from the Original Post is any reference to mains electricity and that IMHO is where the greatest risk of death or serious injury exists if the appropriate equipment and precautions are not used.
The other substantial risk - perhaps more probable - is the improper use of LiPo batteries resulting in a fire or explosion.
To be honest, the list in the Original Post seems more appropriate to food preparation than to programming.
I like compartment cases with most of the compartment dividers removed, so there is a large open compartment taking up 80-90% of the area in the case. Work in the big area, and keep parts & tools in the smaller compartments. It's plastic, but since you said you would be using solderless breadboards, you won't need to worry about melting holes in it.
The best thing about the case is, that when you need to move it, or put it away, you can close up your project in the case without needing to take it apart. Then it's ready to go whenever you have a bit of time.
I have found the most dangerous part of hobby electronics is cutting myself with an Xacto knife. It never fails to stick me. When I cut or drill (or use nippers to cut off bits of wire!) I wear shop safety glasses to protect my eyes from flying bits. Wear closed toe shoes when working with heavy or sharp things. Don't worry about contact with your hands. Even the best fitting, textured nitrile gloves make me lose 50% or more of what little dexterity I had to begin with.
There is no danger with electronics level electricity at all, unless you are using high voltage, high current or 'mains' power for anything. So don't. Until you have much, much more experience, and know the precautions without asking.
One of the first things to buy to go into your case is a wall wart with a USB connector on the end of the wire. Get one that can output 2.0 amps (2000 mA) or more. Get whatever plug adapter you need so you can plug it into your Arduino. Then you will always have a source of clean, safe power for all of your 'internally powered' projects. Some advanced projects will need 'external power' from a second power supply. If that involves high voltage or current, there will be further safety concerns. But for now, your projects will all run off a single low voltage, low current power supply.
ChrisTenone:
I have found the most dangerous part of hobby electronics is cutting myself with an Xacto knife. It never fails to stick me. When I cut or drill (or use nippers to cut off bits of wire!) I wear shop safety glasses to protect my eyes from flying bits. Wear closed toe shoes when working with heavy or sharp things. Don't worry about contact with your hands. Even the best fitting, textured nitrile gloves make me lose 50% or more of what little dexterity I had to begin with.
There is no danger with electronics level electricity at all, unless you are using high voltage, high current or 'mains' power for anything. So don't. Until you have much, much more experience, and know the precautions without asking.
This illustrates my point in Reply #8 very nicely. It shows clearly that you understand the risks and adopt practices that are appropriate to the level of risk and the work you are doing.
I'm not very worried about ESD unless it is a safety hazard.
It is something to consider.
If you use FET it is possible to damage them.
Main problem with this is it can be annoying if you do.
While prototyping a damaged one will have you looking for faults , that can be annoying as time is wasted possibly looking in the wrong places
It's also nice to have a nonslip surface when poking around with test probes
