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| Thread ID: 57071 | 2005-04-23 01:26:00 | anit-static devices vs time | mark c (247) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 347758 | 2005-04-23 01:26:00 | Hi, I was wondering about the necessity of these anti-static devices like wrist straps and mats and stuff compared to just time. Like leaving the comp turned off overnight for any charge to dissapate. Would that be just as effective. I'm about to salvage some mem out of an old machine and obviously don't want to blow anything up. This is my first "under the hood" excercise. Or touch the case and something earthed, is this just as good? What about the parts inside that are insulated from the case? Any help appreciatted. I know I don't help out here much but it's mostly above or sideways to my skill..........m |
mark c (247) | ||
| 347759 | 2005-04-23 01:57:00 | Leaving it off overnight won't make any difference, Its the static charge from your body into the component that you wish to stop,.. as to the nesscity of anti-static devices,some would say its all bunk,Persoanlly I would say any precation is worth doing, though I wounlt be concerned if your just doing the one operation,grasp the case with one hand,grab out the ram with the other,drop it into an anti-static bag.... |
Metla (12) | ||
| 347760 | 2005-04-23 01:58:00 | It's not the computer or its intestines which normally carry the harmful charge . It's you . ;) It's the fact that you are usually "disconnected" that makes you dangerous . If you walk on (especially) synthetic carpet when the humidity is low, you can be carryig several kilovolts generated by the friction against the carpet . If the junctions inside integrated circuits happen to be in the shortest path to a point of lower potential, they don't last long . (The point of lower potential doesn't have to be earthed . . . the rest of a circuit will do) . But it's not a major problem usually . The safeguard I mostly use is "reasonable care" . I do have a wristband, and proper antistatic mats, and I use them sometimes . When you come to remove the memory sticks: Have the box plugged in to a wall socket which is switched off . That will earth the metal parts of the box . If the floor is carpeted, don't shuffle your feet . Touch the PSU case before you touch anything else . Hold the memory sticks by the ends only . Never, ever, touch the contacts of any board, memory stick, or CPU . "If it's gold, touch with your eyes only" . If you haven't got any antistatic bags, you can wrap the memory in aluminium foil -- use an earthed metal surface as the "table" for the foil . (Ordinary plastic bags are good insulators . . . therefore they are very good at being static generators) . |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 347761 | 2005-04-23 01:58:00 | You could touch the metal inside the case and you could try wearing bare feet as an extra earth point, should be ok :thumbs: | Overdrive_5000 (4950) | ||
| 347762 | 2005-04-23 01:58:00 | static comes from people or tools someone is using on the pc, not from the pc itself. some people are fantasic generators of static. if you are one of those then you need all the mats, leads, eath points etc. otherwise touch an earth metal object before touching the pc and you will be fine. |
tweak'e (69) | ||
| 347763 | 2005-04-23 02:08:00 | Ha OK. Very interesting. Got it the wrong way round. Nothing like being entirely wrong. Thanks for all that. Just learnt a lot about static elec in the last few minutes. I'll get my wrist strap back from a mate I lent it too maybe last year and have a go. Many thanks......m PS Don't think I'm a big static elec generator. Never had shocks from things like cars doors or anything else I can recall. Unlike Susan B long time no c. |
mark c (247) | ||
| 347764 | 2005-04-23 02:23:00 | Just to add to above, remember also when getting or putting away any cards or components, to consider the container also. It will also develop a static charge. Even anti-static bags will. So place the container, on the case somewhere as it will equalise the charge. then put the device into or remove it out of it's container. |
pheonix (36) | ||
| 347765 | 2005-04-23 02:29:00 | OK thanks . Will do . I think I'll run a cable to the earth peg outside the door and hold onto the end . Got some al . foil so will use that too . Quite a buzz really . (no pun intended) I'll have a go this weekend . Thanks to all . . . . m |
mark c (247) | ||
| 347766 | 2005-04-23 02:49:00 | I wouldn't bother to go to those extremes. Remember always, that you require to "equalise" the static charge. If I have to do a replacement onsite without my anti-static gear, just place the packet on the chassis, lean on the case and always keep in contact with the case. Remove or replace whatever you want while keeping in contact. Earth will discharge static, but if not earthed, then you must equalise the charge between all the devices (you included). Damage will only be caused, as stated by other posters above, when a charge tries to equalise through the electronics. Live-liners work on a similar principle, working on 220KV lines while they are still live. |
pheonix (36) | ||
| 347767 | 2005-04-23 02:53:00 | Thank you Phoenix. Very clear and informative. As were the others......m | mark c (247) | ||
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