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

On Thu, 2003-07-03 at 07:35, Dave Prentice wrote:
> 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% --

I guess that eliminates every centrally air conditioned house and
apt south of, oh, Louisville, especially if there's carpet on the
floor...

> by all means wear a wrist strap to protect components.

Since strapping my wrists to a water pipe is impractical, what's
the best place to strap them to?

Also, what about anti-static pads?

-- 
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| Ron Johnson, Jr.     Home: ron.l.johnson@cox.net          |
| Jefferson, LA  USA   http://members.cox.net/ron.l.johnson |
|                                                           |
| "Adventure is a sign of incompetence"                     |
|    Stephanson, great polar explorer                       |
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