Re: RE: [Nolug] Possible grounding/static electricity problem

On Wed, 2003-07-02 at 23:09, Alex McKenzie wrote:
> I wouldn't mess with the board if it's plugged into teh wall. When I
> start workign on a system I:
>
> [] unplug power supply
> [] cycle the switch a few times, discharging the capacitors
>
> And before -=every=- time I touch the board, I touch the case first.
> Almost constant contact isn't good enough. Get into this habit, or lash
> yourself to the thing.
>
> Disclaimer: I am NOT a trained professional.

If the case's power supply isn't plugged in, what's the point of
touching it? Where would the electricity go, if, for example, the
PC is on a wooden table?

> --
> Alex McKenzie alex@boxchain.com http://boxchain.com/
>
> > I knew better than to use ohms function on live side. I used VAC first
> > to find out which side was live and then didn't connect to that side on
> > ohms.
> > I'll get a wrist strap ASAP. Thanks.
> >
> > ============================================================
> > From: "John Souvestre" <johns@sstar.com>
> > Date: 2003/07/02 Wed PM 11:20:56 EDT
> > To: <nolug@joeykelly.net>
> > Subject: RE: [Nolug] Possible grounding/static electricity problem
> >
> > Yes, you do have a grounding problem. Stop using your Ohm meter to
> > check live AC lines. It's a sure way to blow the meter. There is a
> > small (or perhaps not so small) difference between grounded wires due to
> > the current flow in them. Use voltage measurements. Or simply go to
> > Radio Shack and pick up one the AC circuit testers with 3 bulbs on it.
> > They run about $5 or $10.
> >
> > No, your AC grounding problem has little, if any, to do with static
> > electricity possibly frying your motherboard. The static problem is
> > between you, the motherboard and the case. Whether the case is grounded
> > or not doesn't affect this. The important thing is that you and the
> > motherboard and the case are all at the same potential (ground or
> > otherwise).
> >
> > A wrist strap is good. Connect it to the case, not the AC wall socket.
> >
> > John
> >
> > John Souvestre - Southern Star - (504) 888-3348 - www.sstar.com
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-nolug@joeykelly.net [mailto:owner-nolug@joeykelly.net] On
> > Behalf Of jdtiede@bellsouth.net
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2003 4:25 PM
> > To: nolug@joeykelly.net
> > Subject: [Nolug] Possible grounding/static electricity problem
> >
> > It has been pointed out to me that my failures in changing
> > mobos and CPUs may be due to static electricity. I'm not sure
> > but don't think I had that problem before my last move, so I
> > got out my volt-ohmmeter and checked for continuity between
> > the ground connector and "hot" terminal in wall outlets and
> > my UPS. There is zero resistance. Then I tried in bathroom
> > and kitchen and found infinite resistance between ground
> > terminal and water pipes. Do I have a problem or not?
> > If there is no problem, would a wrist strap and/or an
> > anti-static mat offer significantly greater protection than
> > almost-constant contact with the unpainted chassis while
> > plugged in but not turned on? (There is no resistance
> > between that and ground or "cold" terminal either.)

-- 
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| Ron Johnson, Jr.     Home: ron.l.johnson@cox.net          |
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