ESD (Electro-Static-Discharge)

The Astroman

The Astroman

Active Member
To avoid frying my new computer with static elecriticity when I'm operating inside it, I know there are some handbands that you attach to your case or something the like. Does wearing rubber gloves protect your fragile material of being fried by your static?
 
I would imagine the runner would server to aid static build up. just use a wrist strap. I've actually always done my work without one. I just make sure to keep grounding myself to the case. I have yet to have a problem.
 
The ESD bands are a waste. They're used to keep your body electric potential the same as the device you're operating on. Its just a wire that attaches to said wrist band and to the ground of the device your working on. Honestly a waste unless you're working with super sensative equipment. I've been working on electronics for about 10 years now and have only used ESD strap a few times and that was only per customer request. If you want you can just get a piece of wire attach it to the case somewhere (bare metal) and wrap it around your body somewhere.... Though honestly its a waste and it just going to be a pain...
 
pyrolithic said:
The ESD bands are a waste. They're used to keep your body electric potential the same as the device you're operating on. Its just a wire that attaches to said wrist band and to the ground of the device your working on. Honestly a waste unless you're working with super sensative equipment. I've been working on electronics for about 10 years now and have only used ESD strap a few times and that was only per customer request. If you want you can just get a piece of wire attach it to the case somewhere (bare metal) and wrap it around your body somewhere.... Though honestly its a waste and it just going to be a pain...
Click to expand...

Well it doesnt have to attach to the device, whenever we work on computers at school we need to wear a wristband that hooks up to the ground on an electric socket.

I wouldnt even bother with a wrist strap, i just touch the chassis when i first start to work on it. Just dont move around alot if you have carpet floors to prevent static buildup.
 
Geoff, not to contradict anything you were taught in school... But it should be tapped to the chasis of the device you're working on to keep your body at the same potential as said device. If you're grounded to earth ground via the electrical socket (which just doesn't at all sound safe) you could cause a short if the resistance is lower via your body ground.
 
The Astroman said:
OK, thanks for the tips. So just wrapping a bit of wire around my arm and taping it to case will do?
Click to expand...

no it wont, you have to ground yourself.
so,.. if you keep in contact with a radiator ( of a hous's warming system), and you'll be fine :)

pyrolithic said:
you could cause a short if the resistance is lower via your body ground.
Click to expand...

sorry,.. but the human body definately hasnt got a lower R than a piece of metal wire. ;)
 
Last edited:
just skip the wire, sit still and touch the metal frame of the case before touching sensitive parts. I've installed parts on carpet in 12% humidity and NEVER had a problem If you're holding the part to install and ground yourself on the case by touching it, you are at the same potential as the case. Simply moving your arm to put the device in the case is not going to build up enough static to fry anything.
 
pyrolithic said:
Geoff, not to contradict anything you were taught in school... But it should be tapped to the chasis of the device you're working on to keep your body at the same potential as said device. If you're grounded to earth ground via the electrical socket (which just doesn't at all sound safe) you could cause a short if the resistance is lower via your body ground.
Click to expand...


The main point of grounding yourself is to let all of the static electricty build up go through you and into the earth. And besides, the computer case sits on a special type of mat that is also grounded to the ground. So its really the same thing :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top