ESD - What can I do to avoid damage

E.S.D. - Electro Static Discharge

The object of this article is to increase your awareness of electro static
potential when working on computers, and provide you with a means to help defeat
it or at least suppress it.

OVERVIEW

ESD is one of the top killers of computers. If precautions aren't taken to
ensure any static electricity is neutralized, damage can occur to sensitive
components inside your system. This includes RAM "sticks", the
CPU (Central Processing Unit), hard disks, and "chips" on the motherboard
which contain the chipset information for your motherboard. Also the "on-board" sound
and video chips, cache memory chips, as well as electronics contained on
add-in cards, et cetera.

When two objects which are at different electrical potentials come into direct
contact with each other, electro-static discharge usually occurs. It's not
only the static sparks which you can see that can cause damage. A high electrostatic
field on an object within close proximity of sensitive components can do damage.
You may think you are safe because you touched the frame of a system, and in
many or even most cases you are, in that instance, and in that environment.
However, introduce a dry atmosphere into the equation (heating season in cold
climates) and the static potential dramatically increases. Damage may not be
readily apparent, it can build up over time and cause a device to fail.

DO's and DON'T's

When working on a system, if possible, leave the power cord attached to the
power supply and plugged into the wall. The ground conductor is unbroken
even with the power supply off, thus the frame of the system has a means
of releasing any charges to ground.

PLEASE NOTE: Bear in mind that certain operations to some components dictate
that the unit be unplugged. Always follow any directions provided with the
components you're working with.

Most computer stores sell ESD grounding wrist straps. If you do much work
inside systems, or you do a lot of tinkering with your own system, you should
have one. The first time you avoid a "zap" because you've used it,
it has easily paid for itself. In a pinch, you can construct one with a metal "alligator" (spring)
clip, wire, and a 1 (One) MegOhm resistor. The resistor allows slow controlled
bleed off to ground of charges which may occur.

Another (more expensive) item you may wish to obtain is an anti-static mat
on which you place the system and components. These are usually made of conductive
rubber, and provide a means (a snap for instance) of attaching a grounding
lead and a wrist strap. This places you, the system, and anything on the mat
at the same electrical potential.

Try to have your working environment around 40% to 50% relative humidity.

Avoid working in a carpeted area if at all possible.

Don't touch the circuit board on the bottom of hard disks.

Don't touch the contacts on memory or add-on peripheral cards. (Video, LAN,
modem, sound, etc)

If you're removing such things as memory or add-on cards from your system,
place them on a conductive surface such as aluminum foil if you don't have
an ESD mat.

Avoid using a vacuum cleaner to remove dust etc from your system and components.
The movement of the air itself, and plastic nozzles can build very high static
charges. A can of compressed air and a 1/2" or 3/4" wide natural
bristle paint brush can be used to dislodge dust from air vents and the fins
of heatsinks. Do not use a nylon or man made bristle brush. This method can
be messy without an air hood/chamber to catch the dust but is much safer.

Keep all panels etc on your machines enclosure. This helps shield components,
as well as reduce dust buildup, and helps with proper air flow from your cooling
fans.