This article shows you how to take precautions to avoid damaging the internal components of a computer due to static electricity. While the chances of causing serious damage to electronic devices from electrostatic discharge are very low nowadays, there are some simple ways to reduce the risk of this happening.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the Workspace
Step 1. Work on a hard surface
Assembling or disassembling a computer on a clean, compact work surface minimizes the possibility of static electricity build-up. You can use a regular table, workbench, desk, or simple wooden board.
The computer should never be placed on a surface that can promote static build-up, such as a synthetic carpet, carpet, blanket, or towel, if you need to perform tasks that require you to drop your body to the ground
Step 2. Work on a hard floor with bare feet
Wearing socks while placing your feet on a carpet or carpet can trigger the build-up of an electrostatic charge. To prevent this from happening, stay barefoot and place them directly on the wooden or tiled floor.
- If you can't help but work by placing your feet on a carpet or carpet, you will need to take specific measures that allow you to unload your body to the ground whenever necessary (every 2-3 minutes).
- To completely isolate yourself from the floor, you can wear slippers made entirely of rubber. However, this is too much of a precaution when working in the home environment.
- Any footwear with a rubber sole will be enough to isolate you from the floor as you work.
Step 3. Do not wear clothing that promotes the accumulation of static electricity
Wool and some synthetic fibers are known to promote electrostatic discharge, so if you are wearing this type of clothing take them off and replace them with cotton fabrics.
If possible, wash your clothes and dry them in the dryer using a suitable antistatic sheet to minimize static electricity build-up before you start working on your computer
Step 4. Humidify environments that are too dry
The accumulation of static electricity is favored by the absence of humidity. If the environment you need to work in is too dry, use a humidifier if you have one, but don't waste money buying a new one if you don't. The indications provided so far are more than sufficient without having to resort to this type of appliance.
Alternatively, you can humidify a room by placing a wet cloth over a heater or in front of a fan
Step 5. Store all electronic components of your computer in a special antistatic bag
All components of a computer are normally sold sealed inside an antistatic bag in which they should remain until the moment of final installation.
Part 2 of 2: Discharge your body to the ground
Step 1. Understand what it means to discharge the body's electrostatic charge to the ground
To prevent static electricity from accumulating and discharging on the delicate internal components of your computer, you need to take a simple precaution. In most cases you will simply have to touch a metal element that is connected to the ground of the electrical system in the house or placed on the floor.
Step 2. Use the computer directly to ground the body
Most professional technicians do this before touching or installing a new, static-sensitive component inside a computer (such as the motherboard). Touch one of the unpainted metal parts of the case frame before starting work.
Alternatively, if while you are working inside the computer you want to be sure that an electrostatic discharge cannot damage it, you can rest your non-dominant arm on the metal frame of the computer case
Step 3. Touch a grounded metal object every 2-3 minutes
Remember that this must be an unpainted metal object that is directly grounded, such as a heater or the metal shield of the computer case. This is a quick and easy solution used as the only precaution by many professional technicians.
It should be noted that there is a risk that these indications are not sufficient and that a discharge of static electricity may still occur. Rely on the solution described in this step only in the case of home projects that require the use of inexpensive electronic components
Step 4. Put on an antistatic wristband
It is an inexpensive tool that is sold in electronic and online stores. Wear it so that it is in direct contact with your skin and hook the free end of the safety lanyard to an unpainted, grounded metal object (such as a case screw or other device).
- Do not use antistatic wristbands without a ground wire as they are not effective.
- If you are using an antistatic wrist strap that has a ring rather than a clip on the end of the ground wire, attach it to one of the electrical plate retaining screws. Normally, according to the regulations in force, the entire electrical system of each home should be connected directly to earth, therefore also the individual plates. However, you can perform a safety check using a regular tester or multimeter.
Step 5. Connect your body to a grounded metal object using a wire
A simple and inexpensive solution to ground the residual electrostatic charge of your body is to connect a metal cable (for example copper) to a toe or wrist and then tie the other end to an unpainted metal object. This is an ideal solution if you have all the material at hand, but are unable to work on a suitable surface.
Step 6. Work on an antistatic mat
Buy an antistatic mat classified as "conductive" or "dissipative" on which to place all the computer components that you have to assemble or that you have disassembled and with which you will have to remain in contact while you work. Some mat models are equipped with a point where you can attach the clip of the antistatic bracelet.
- Consider purchasing a vinyl constructed mat to use for repairs on your computer. Rubber-built mats are much more expensive and are not required to perform jobs of this type.
- Unless you have to work on extremely expensive computers or components, the guidance in this article is more than enough to avoid accidentally damaging your equipment.
Advice
- When you have to work on the CPU of your computer, always remember to handle the chip by holding it only on the outer sides. Never touch the metal connectors on the underside of the chip or the various circuits and visible metal parts unless absolutely necessary.
- The risk of being able to damage a computer with an electrostatic discharge is no longer as high as it was a few decades ago. While it is always good to take all precautions to avoid an accidental discharge, most modern computers are equipped with components that integrate special shielding to protect them from damage caused by electrostatic discharges.
