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| Thread ID: 42265 | 2004-02-06 01:14:00 | heatsink cleaning | Nodrog (4738) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 213114 | 2004-02-07 02:15:00 | > Where did this "vacuum cleaners produce static and > will destroy electronics" idea come from? I see it > brought up from time to time . > > It's nonsense . > > A standard test for thermal effects in electronics is > to use a hairdryer . That is hot, dry air at > similar velocity to that from a vacuum cleaner . I'd > expect a greater static charge on the air from a > "canned air" aerosol --- that has a high velocity as > it leaves the nozzle . > > Static is a problem for components which are not in > electrical contact with anything . Once they are > plugged/soldered in they are pretty safe . That's how > things work . :D > > I use a ½" or 1" paintbrush for dusting . I have a number of computer repair books that stress that vacum cleaners are not to be used due to static . Perhaps these leaders in the industry just don't know squat? Their are a number of specililised anti-static hand held vacum cleaners designed for the very purpose of cleaning such items . Sales gimmick? Id call anyone sticking a hairdryer into a computer an idiot . |
metla (154) | ||
| 213115 | 2004-02-07 02:40:00 | It's interesting how urban myths last . Technological myths persist too . A hairdryer is a standard test for thermal problems . It's used on equipment much more expensive than computers . I am certain that both a hairdryer, and the "safe" canned air would have higher potential for "static" than a vacuum cleaner . The "static" is produced by the rapid flow of gas through an insulating nozzle (if the humidity is low enough) . If you're really concerned, you could use an earthed conductive nozzle . (This is standard, and essential, for hydrogen filling of balloons . H2 explodes . :D ) Once static-sensitive components are installed, they are protected by the fact that the whole circuit is "unipotential" (as far as the "static" voltages go) . Of course, given enough ingenuity (high class fools) it is possible to zap installed components . But you have to work at it . It would be unusual for someone to use a hairdryer on a computer, because it's a test for individual, replaceable components which become faulty at elevated temperature . Computers, these days, don't have many such components . Once the obvious sources of thermal problems like stopped fans have been fixed, it's quicker to try substitution of suspect plugin parts . |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 213116 | 2004-02-07 02:53:00 | > Where did this "vacuum cleaners produce static and will destroy electronics" idea come from? Personal observation in my case . The vacuum cleaners nozzle nearly always has bits of dust clinging to it that dont fall off when you shake the nozzle while the cleaner is running . Or even when you switch it off . :D > I'd expect a greater static charge on the air from a "canned air" aerosol --- that has a high velocity as it leaves the nozzle . I don't think I would agree with that . I've been told by electronics technicians that it is the running (electric) motor that causes the static buildup in the vacuum cleaner nozzle . Since a can of compressed air does not run on an electrical motor it must therefore have no static . > Static is a problem for components which are not in electrical contact with anything . Once they are plugged/soldered in they are pretty safe . That's how things work . :D Are you sure about that? Isn't it the other way around?? Got any evidence to back that up/disprove my theory? Shall we start a new thread in order to debate this topic instead of hijacking the original thread? :D |
Fire-and-Ice (3910) | ||
| 213117 | 2004-02-07 02:54:00 | I have been using a vacuum cleaner to clean PCs for 10years, and other electronic equipment for another 10 years more and never had a problem.. As long as the head does not come into contact with any "sensitive" components it is not a problem. Only once have I ever taken any anti-static precautions in the form of some fine metal mesh over the end of the tube and grounded, and that was only due to an ISO requirement in an electronics assembly plant. I have used both blow and suck, with and without a brush, but I will admit the components have been mounted in the PC case, any standalone components I will clean on an anti-static mat. Those "anti-static" safe vacuum cleaners just have a fine metal mesh embedded in the air flow path and bonded to the casing. |
ugh1 (4204) | ||
| 213118 | 2004-02-07 03:00:00 | Well,im no electricain so i think ill stop before i get in over my head. ..............HA. However ill stick to my brush. |
metla (154) | ||
| 213119 | 2004-02-07 03:07:00 | A bottle of compressed hydrogen contains gas at about 2200 psi. If you open the cylinder valve, gas will come out. Quite quickly. ;-) The static generated by the high speed gas will ignite the gas. There is no running electric motor in the cylinder. The running electric motor in the vacuuum cleaner rotates a fan to move the air. The air flow can, if it's fast enough, and the nozzle is a reasonable insulator, will produce a static charge on the nozzle. It's not a problem. You're not going to rub the nozzle against the pins of all the chips. Are you ? :O |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 213120 | 2004-02-07 03:14:00 | > Well,im no electricain so i think ill stop before i get in over my head. I was already way over my head before I jumped in. :D Still, this is one thing that would be good to get cleared up because until now everyone I have spoken to says using vacuum cleaners on computers is bad news. I've never known Graham to talk hogwash before so if he can provide scientific proof/evidence for his claims we'll all be much wiser. ;-) |
Fire-and-Ice (3910) | ||
| 213121 | 2004-02-07 04:24:00 | Well, it happens it appears. www.ebits.net My recollection of the principle (it was a long time ago that I studied) was that its the fast-moving dust that causes the charge to accumulate, and that the present vacuum cleaners that claim to suck a bowling ball through a garden hose would be very capable of producing localised high voltage charges at the nozzle. As Graham daid, fine if you don't touch or get too close to anything with the nozzle... |
godfather (25) | ||
| 213122 | 2004-02-07 05:28:00 | Hmmm................ Of course there is zero air velocity on the bowling ball trick, and almost any cleaner can do that trick if you get a good air-tight seal around the perimeter of the suction cup. Think about how hard it is to pull a simple suction cup free and you will get the picture. On the issue of static discharge, I have used both compressed air guns and vacuum cleaners to remove dust from electronics and have never had a failure, but I always use vacuums in sucking mode and use a paintbrush to loosen stubbort dust. I don't altogether agree with or accept the computermajyk account of a fried CPU, MB and HDD and I rather think that there was another underlying cause if such a catastrophic sequence of failures occurred. I agree with GF, just keep the nozzle away from the electronics, and preferably leave the power cord plugged into the wall socket to keep it well earthed. Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 213123 | 2004-02-07 07:44:00 | > I have been using a vacuum cleaner to clean PCs for > 10years, and other electronic equipment for another > 10 years more and never had a problem.. I also use a vacuum cleaner - not only on my machines (have on all of them, without problem), but also on any machines I service. Never had an issue. Mike. |
Mike (15) | ||
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