07-04-2003, 03:47 AM
You missed my main point, Pete. I guess I had it buried.
Use a Static Dissipation strap, NOT a Ground Strap when working on electrical equipment!
Being grounded gets people killed. You can buy a static dissipation cable for under $10, or make one for under a buck.
I don't want to cast aspersions on your abilities, but I will ask how you know you've only had one.
Okay, only one that was instantly obvious. It was while using a grounded-element soldering station, by the way. :) It's not the static that kills a circuit, it the static DISCHARGE. A static dissipation cable typically has a 300k-3m Ohm resistance to ground, which allows the static charge to dissipate slowly. A low resistance connection to ground is where the spark comes from.
Which is why places where the damage can have dangerous consequences (such as aerospace and military) take what might seem to be extreme precautions.
Heh. My original training in electronics was as an Avionics Technician. Graduated 1976, only worked in it for less than a year- no money in it for the pressure. You are right, we took extensive training on how to work on static sensitive devices, I still have the textbook for that. It is over an inch thick.
-rcv-
Use a Static Dissipation strap, NOT a Ground Strap when working on electrical equipment!
Being grounded gets people killed. You can buy a static dissipation cable for under $10, or make one for under a buck.
I don't want to cast aspersions on your abilities, but I will ask how you know you've only had one.
Okay, only one that was instantly obvious. It was while using a grounded-element soldering station, by the way. :) It's not the static that kills a circuit, it the static DISCHARGE. A static dissipation cable typically has a 300k-3m Ohm resistance to ground, which allows the static charge to dissipate slowly. A low resistance connection to ground is where the spark comes from.
Which is why places where the damage can have dangerous consequences (such as aerospace and military) take what might seem to be extreme precautions.
Heh. My original training in electronics was as an Avionics Technician. Graduated 1976, only worked in it for less than a year- no money in it for the pressure. You are right, we took extensive training on how to work on static sensitive devices, I still have the textbook for that. It is over an inch thick.
-rcv-