Electromagnetic bracelets for building PC?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SmellyaLater
  • Start date Start date
S

SmellyaLater

I once read somewhere that when dealing with the innards of electronics
(including computers) it's good to wear special electromagnetic (or
something like that) bracelets that way you don't damage the equipment. I
think I've seen these at Radio Shack. Would it be wise to pick up a pair or
is it just a gimmick?
 
I once read somewhere that when dealing with the innards of electronics
(including computers) it's good to wear special electromagnetic (or
something like that) bracelets that way you don't damage the equipment. I
think I've seen these at Radio Shack. Would it be wise to pick up a pair or
is it just a gimmick?
Click to expand...

Static.

I have one in my kit. I use it whan;
- I'm working with really expensive, or non-comodity parts that would be
a real PITA to replace,
- Working on a business server where downtime would be a complete f**kup.
If there's a mystery electronic problem afterwords it's something you
should/could have done. Not that the strap, itself, would have
prevented the failure but it might have. Call it CYA, and I'm a firm
believer in Murphy, and his laws.
- There are places and times where that static is everywhere. You can't take
two steps and touch metal without getting a spark.

The static voltage sufficient to blow an unprotected chip is well below
the voltage that is perceptable to you, I'm told.

In general, I just touch the case before I handle the part and keep
one body part on the case for the duration. The textbooks will tell you
that this is nowhere sufficient.
 
I once read somewhere that when dealing with the innards of electronics
(including computers) it's good to wear special electromagnetic (or
something like that) bracelets that way you don't damage the equipment. I
think I've seen these at Radio Shack. Would it be wise to pick up a pair or
is it just a gimmick?
Click to expand...

I am not sure what you saw but there are wrist straps that help. It is a
conductive strap that goes around your wrist and it has a high value
resistance going to a wire that connects to something that is grounded. It
can be connected to the ground of a 120 volt receptical if you are sure to
get on the correct pin and are also sure that pin is grounded. Many never
use that strap and have no problems, but it it highly recommended by most
makers of devices of electronics . Some moth4erboards I have bought have
cane with them. I work on industrial instrumentation and some of the
instruments come with the straps also.
In high humidity it is not that bad but in the winter time and low humidity
you can build up a static charge quickly. HOw many times have you gotten
shocked in the winter ?]
 
SmellyaLater said:
I once read somewhere that when dealing with the innards of
electronics (including computers) it's good to wear special
electromagnetic (or something like that) bracelets that way
you don't damage the equipment. I think I've seen these at
Radio Shack. Would it be wise to pick up a pair or is it
just a gimmick?
Click to expand...

The problem isn't the electromagnetic field but the electrostatic
field, which can easily create thousands of volts between you and the
computer equipment and damage the equipment if you touch it, even if
you don't see, hear, or feel a spark. Those bracelets, or wrist
straps, sold by Radio Shack have a wire that you attach to the
equipment to discharge yourself to it so that your voltage and the
equipment's voltage are the same. However, because it can be
dangerous to have a direct connection like this if the equipment is
plugged into earth ground and you happen to touch something that's at
high voltage, like a faulty piece of equipment, so that wire has one
million ohms of resistance in series with it. Because of this hazard,
always unplug all the computer equipment from the AC outlet before
working on it, and I mean pull the plug rather than just turn off a
switch.

If you Google for "electrostatic discharge" you'll find many web sites
with advice on how to prevent damage from static electricity, but the
most important thing is to keep yourself at about the same voltage as
the equipment by being in contact with bare metal on its case. When
you pick up the packaging of any device you want to install, such as a
memory module, disk drive, or card, be in contact with the computer
case, either by having your hand against it or through an anti-static
wrist strap attached to the case. But it's far better if your entire
work surface is covered with a square yard or two of anti-static
material, such a pink bubble plastic or pink foam packing sheet. Lay
out everything on this sheet before removing the packaging. Also work
completely barefoot and don't wear long sleeves because without long
sleeves, you'll naturally discharge yourself frequently through the
anti-static surface.
 
The anti-electrostatic bracelets do help prevent you from accidentally
frying a component with a static discharge.
 
I once read somewhere that when dealing with the innards of electronics
(including computers) it's good to wear special electromagnetic (or
something like that) bracelets that way you don't damage the equipment. I
think I've seen these at Radio Shack. Would it be wise to pick up a pair or
is it just a gimmick?
Click to expand...


Not a gimmick. It helps drain the electrons from your body while
working with sensitive electronic parts. Very important when handling
video memory. If you don't have a strap, keep one hand on the metal
case. I like the kind with a coiled cord and velcro strap.
 
I once read somewhere that when dealing with the innards of electronics
(including computers) it's good to wear special electromagnetic (or
something like that) bracelets that way you don't damage the equipment. I
think I've seen these at Radio Shack. Would it be wise to pick up a pair or
is it just a gimmick?
Click to expand...
Mix a tiny amount of fabric softner with water and spray around the
work area, mainly the carpet. They have a new cordless wrist strap out
that I have my eye on. http://www.directron.com/directron/1160125.html
_________________________
French Connection:
http://www.metrospy.com/boycott_brands.htm
 
AJ said:
equipment

Mix a tiny amount of fabric softner with water and spray around the
work area, mainly the carpet. They have a new cordless wrist strap out
that I have my eye on. http://www.directron.com/directron/1160125.html
Click to expand...

Those cordless wrist straps are ion generators, and while chip makers,
like Texas Instruments, have recommended tabletop ion generators, they
still recommend the use of corded anti-static wrist straps and
anti-static work surfaces. I don't know of anyone that says the ion
generators are enough, except to preent dust build-up (printed circuit
board company's mask inspection room). TI publishes information about
preventing electrostatic discharge in an appendix in almost every one
of their chip data books.
 
AJ said:
Mix a tiny amount of fabric softner with water and spray around the
work area, mainly the carpet. They have a new cordless wrist strap out
that I have my eye on. http://www.directron.com/directron/1160125.html
Click to expand...

Fabric softener helps, but unless the carpet is very old, over 20
years, it's rather good at preventing static buildup, and it's much
better to work barefoot on untreated carpet than to wear shoes or
socks with carpet that's been treated.
But nothing beats a work table covered completely with a layer of
anti-static bubble wrap or foam wrap and working in short sleeves.
 
Back
Top