Overview
This lecture explains electrostatic discharge (ESD), how it can damage electronic components, and methods for preventing ESD damage during handling, maintenance, and storage.
Understanding Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
- ESD occurs when a static charge transfers between two objects with unequal charges to balance them.
- Static electricity often builds up due to dry air, synthetic clothing, or shuffling feet on a carpet.
- Humans do not naturally store much static electricity, but our clothing and environment can increase buildup.
- ESD is commonly experienced as a mild shock when touching metal objects after buildup.
ESD Risks to Electronics
- Electronic components can be damaged by ESD, potentially reducing their lifespan or causing immediate failure.
- Quickly discharging static electricity through sensitive components increases the risk of damage.
ESD Prevention in Work Areas
- ESD workbenches and furniture are designed to be grounded, providing a safe path for static electricity.
- Most IT technicians work in areas with minimal built-in ESD protection.
ESD Protection Equipment
- Anti-static mats use high-resistance materials to slow the flow of static electricity, reducing damage risk.
- Anti-static wristbands (wrist straps) drain static from your body and must touch bare skin.
- Alligator clips should be connected to unpainted metal parts of a grounded computer case, ideally to screws on the power supply.
Using Anti-Static Mats and Wristbands
- Place the component and yourself in contact with the anti-static mat and wristband before handling electronics.
- Mats are typically blue or green with layered construction to protect and slowly conduct electricity.
- Correct connections are crucial—avoid painted or insulated surfaces and ensure paths do not pass through sensitive components.
Anti-Static Bags
- Anti-static bags shield electronic parts from static by preventing charge buildup and dissipating electricity.
- Metallic (shielding) bags keep static outside; pink bags dissipate static via contact with surfaces or air.
- Bags often have conductive ink lines to spread charge and must be undamaged to be effective.
- Always ground yourself before handling components or bags.
Key Terms & Definitions
- ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) — sudden flow of static electricity between objects with different charges.
- Anti-static mat — high-resistance mat that slowly drains static electricity to ground.
- Anti-static wristband — strap making contact with the skin to safely drain static electricity from a person.
- Alligator clip — clamp used to connect grounding wires securely.
- Anti-static bag — special bag that prevents static electricity from damaging electronic components during storage or transport.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read your equipment’s documentation before performing maintenance.
- Always ground yourself and use anti-static gear before handling electronics.
- Store or transport components in undamaged anti-static bags.