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Grounding guidelines
Electrostatic discharge damage
Electronic components are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Circuitry design and structure
determine the degree of sensitivity. Networks built into many integrated circuits provide some protection,
but in many cases, ESD contains enough power to alter device parameters or melt silicon junctions.
A discharge of static electricity from a finger or other conductor can destroy static-sensitive devices or
microcircuitry. Even if the spark is neither felt nor heard, damage may have occurred.
An electronic device exposed to ESD may not be affected at all and may work perfectly throughout a
normal cycle. Or the device may function normally for a while, and then degrade in the internal layers,
reducing its life expectancy.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the computer when you are removing or installing internal
components, observe these precautions:
Keep components in their electrostatic-safe containers until you are ready to install them.
Use nonmagnetic tools.
Before touching an electronic component, discharge static electricity by using the guidelines described
in this section.
Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry. Handle electronic components as little as possible.
If you remove a component, place it in an electrostatic-safe container.
The following table shows how humidity affects the electrostatic voltage levels generated by different
activities.
CAUTION: A product can be degraded by as little as 700 V.
Typical electrostatic voltage levels
Relative humidity
Event 10% 40% 55%
Walking across carpet 35,000 V 15,000 V 7,500 V
Walking across vinyl floor 12,000 V 5,000 V 3,000 V
Motions of bench worker 6,000 V 800 V 400 V
Removing DIPS from plastic tube 2,000 V 700 V 400 V
Removing DIPS from vinyl tray 11,500 V 4,000 V 2,000 V
Removing DIPS from Styrofoam 14,500 V 5,000 V 3,500 V
Removing bubble pack from PCB 26,500 V 20,000 V 7,000 V
Packing PCBs in foam-lined box 21,000 V 11,000 V 5,000 V
42 Chapter 4 Removal and replacement procedures