ELECTRICAL STATIC DISCHARGE
ESD

As it is infamously called, is the Evil Demon that lies in wait for the unsuspecting computer builder who fails to ware the sacred wrist strap before kneeling at the PC altar.

Most PCs cases are chemically treated or have copper fittings designed to channel electrostatic discharge away from the sentive components inside.
The danger from ESD damage begins when the case is opened and the fragile components on the motherboard are exposed. When a human with static electrical charge touches anything inside the case, the charge can travel along the wires interconnecting the various electronic componets. One of the wires may lead inside a component, and when the charge gets close enough to a metal part with an opposing charge, the internal wires and elements of components can explode or weld together.

Here are some ESD facts:
1) Most of the computer's electronic components use 3 to 5 volts of electricity.

2) An ESD shock of 30volts can destroy a computer circuit.

3) An ESD shock you can feel, such as on a doorknob, has around 3,000 volts.

4) An ESD shock you can see carries about 20,000 volts

The real problem with ESD damage is that not all of it is obvious. If an entire component is destroyed, you know it, and you replace the piece. When a component has been damaged but continues to work, though,days, weeks,or even months may pass before the component fails completely. More frustrating is intermittent partial failures that can't be isolated.

Eliminating Static Electricity

1) When working inside the PC, always wear an ESD grounding strap on your wrist or ankle that is connected to either the chassis of the PC or to a grounding mat.

2) Treat carpeting inexpensively with antistatic chemicals to reduce static buildup. Aerosol cans of these chemicals are available in most computer or carpet stores.

3) Store all electrical components in antistatic bag when not in use.

4) Install a grounded pad under the PC. Before you touch the computer, touch the pad to discharge any built-up static electricity.

WARNING
WHEN WORKING ON THE MONITOR, NEVER WEAR A GROUNDING STRAP. THE MONITOR HAS A VERY LARGE CAPACITOR IN IT AND A GROUNDING STRAP INVITES ALL OF ITS STORED CHARGE TO RUN THROUGH YOUR BODY. ---NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. trust me I know!!

well hope this INFO helps someone out there!!

xp101

The ESD is a legend.
Even ar 20KV, the current is usually too low (uA) to do any real damage.
I've live-tested this theory vs a large number of MBs and Video cards and nothing died form ESD.

20K * 10uA = 0.2mW. Insignificant. Insufficeint to damage anything.

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World's best Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge mod and Star Trek: Starfleet Command 3 mod: Overmind.ro

Edited: 11/26/2007 at 04:45 AM by Overmind

good guide. I'm not that much of a safety freek; but I don't assemble or place parts on carpet, and always long term store parts in static bags..
better to be safe than sorry. though I don't use mats or straps like I did years ago in tech training schools.
The safety protocols definitely hold merit. why else would all the tech schools teach it.
I think most of us get lazy and don't follow them like it was instructed in the past, but someone has tested this; it's not just a half baked theory.

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*Q6600@3330mhz 1.35v - True120 | Abit IP35pro | 2x2GB Gskil | 2 x EVGA GTS 250- shader 1890 | Corsair HX520 | OCZ Vertex 60GB/Seagate 7200.11 500GB
*x4 810@3250mhz 1.32v - Xigmatek S1283 | MSI K9A2 CF-F 790X | 2x1GB Kingston HyperX | 2 x MSI GTS 250- shader 1890 | Antec EW 500
*Q6600@3330mhz 1.36v - Scythe Mugen | Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L | 2x1GB Ballistx | XFX GTX 260 (192) shader 1512 | OCZ Stealth 500w

i know about this.
but to be honest, i don't do anything before i open my case and unplug some connectors.

But when i build up a new Rig i make sure that i touch some grounded metal to be on the sure side.
Has anyone bad experience with this matter?

@ Overmind
same goes 4 me, i touched so many Hardware components and never something happens. and all my rigs worked properly even over their expectet livetime
for example i have 2 P3 350Mhz running in a small TV Case. just for fun

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Edited: 12/02/2007 at 12:37 PM by kir4

people dont realize a $.50 Strap/Wire vs $200+ When You Schock your CPU, Ram, Mobo, or your entire setup.

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Digital Overload / Skate Zilla (XBL)
MSI K9N Platinum SLi n570, AMD Athlon X2 6000+, 2GB DDR2 Corsair XMS2, nVidia GF8800 GTS 640MB, BlackMagic Intensity Pro PCI-E 1x, 2x Acer 20' LCD, SB XFi Fata1ity, 600W SLi
-
http://www.myspace.com/skate_zilla

I just built a computer over break and i did it on carpet and never shocked the components and it works. Lucky i am i guess.

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*Q6600@3330mhz 1.35v - True120 | Abit IP35pro | 2x2GB Gskil | 2 x EVGA GTS 250- shader 1890 | Corsair HX520 | OCZ Vertex 60GB/Seagate 7200.11 500GB
*x4 810@3250mhz 1.32v - Xigmatek S1283 | MSI K9A2 CF-F 790X | 2x1GB Kingston HyperX | 2 x MSI GTS 250- shader 1890 | Antec EW 500
*Q6600@3330mhz 1.36v - Scythe Mugen | Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L | 2x1GB Ballistx | XFX GTX 260 (192) shader 1512 | OCZ Stealth 500w

I just use the mats we were told to use in college. Well most of the time I do

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You can be "lucky" or "unlucky"

"Lucky" - The ESD destroys the circuits(s) in question, you suffer the loss, but at least you know it got damaged and replace it right away

"Unlucky" - You think nothing happened, brag to any one who is within earshot, and the device suffers a non-fatal damage. Later, at the most
inopportune moment, the device fails and takes another with it. You have no idea why and replace the entire device internals three times,
blaming every vendor and manufacturer in sight.

BTW, the amount of current (being low, etc.) is only relevant for solid copper wires. Semi-conductors are a totally different story.
So is our nervous system; a 10kV shock is very unpleasant, regardless of current. Right?

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Sincerely,

Simon

QFT


ROFL!

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*Q6600@3330mhz 1.35v - True120 | Abit IP35pro | 2x2GB Gskil | 2 x EVGA GTS 250- shader 1890 | Corsair HX520 | OCZ Vertex 60GB/Seagate 7200.11 500GB
*x4 810@3250mhz 1.32v - Xigmatek S1283 | MSI K9A2 CF-F 790X | 2x1GB Kingston HyperX | 2 x MSI GTS 250- shader 1890 | Antec EW 500
*Q6600@3330mhz 1.36v - Scythe Mugen | Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L | 2x1GB Ballistx | XFX GTX 260 (192) shader 1512 | OCZ Stealth 500w

You moving on plastic wheeled chair on plastic covered ground = static charging. Otherwise there's no way you can do Tesla damage just by touching components.

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World's best Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge mod and Star Trek: Starfleet Command 3 mod: Overmind.ro