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

Tom,
    The problem is static electricity. On a very dry day, you can
generate a potential of several thousand volts without realizing it.
You know, walk across a carpet and touch an unsuspecting victom's
earlobe -- bwaa haa haa! Of course, none of you guys is mean enough to
have ever done that, right? Though we feel the spark, the current is
infinitesimal to a human. All that happens is that we get startled.
Nevertheless, it's enough to fry a tiny circuit component.
    If it's a very humid day, there's no worry because the potential
will quickly "leak" away, that is, it will be discharged through the
moist air. However, on a day with relatively low humidity -- I don't
know the number, but I'd be cautious if it were less than about 80% --
by all means wear a wrist strap to protect components.
Dave Prentice
prentice@instruction.com
http://www.originsresource.org
-----Original Message-----
From: T.E.Stirewalt <TomS@ComputerBrain.net>
To: nolug@joeykelly.net <nolug@joeykelly.net>
Date: Thursday, July 03, 2003 7:22 AM
Subject: Re: RE: [Nolug] Possible grounding/static electricity problem

> Probably showing my ignorance and lack of electrical engineering
degree
>here, but...
>
> Isn't it the difference in electrical potential between the
components
>(including the human) what counts as far as the computer parts are
>concerned?
>
> As I understand it, grounding merely lowers the potential to zero,
which
>is probably safer for the human, but not essential to the computer's
parts.
>Of course, if the human is the only thing grounded because the human
is
>standing on the ground, the flow will be through the human, which is
usually
>not a good thing for the human involved (though observers,
co-workers, etc.
>may be entertained somewhat).
>
> I'm not really 'up' on the modern MoBo's and their connection to
power
>supplies, but I believe I have read that manufacturers are
recommending
>physically unplugging from the A. C. line when you add/remove stuff
from the
>mobo. I guess then you attach a grounding strap to the case, and
wear a
>ground strap yourself, and unplug the power cable. At least, that is
what I
>do.
>
>Tom Stirewalt 03 JUL 03
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Ron Johnson" <ron.l.johnson@cox.net>
>To: "NOLUG ML" <nolug@joeykelly.net>
>Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 6:41 AM
>Subject: Re: RE: [Nolug] Possible grounding/static electricity
problem
>>
>> 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?
>>
>
>
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Received on 07/03/03