Managing Electrostatic Discharge/Safety Procedures

Question 1

Equipment grounding

Answer 1

• Most computer products connect to ground
• Divert any electrical faults away from people
• Also applies to equipment racks
• Large ground wire
• Don’t remove the ground connection
• It’s there to protect you
• Never connect yourself to an electrical ground
• This is not a way to prevent ESD

Question 2

Handling toxic waste

Answer 2

• Batteries
• Uninterruptible Power Supplies
• Dispose at your local hazardous waste facility
• CRTs
• Cathode ray tubes - there’s a few of those left
• Glass contains lead
• Dispose at your local hazardous waste facility

• Toner
• Recycle and reuse
• Many printer manufacturers provide a return box
• Some office supply companies will provide
a discount for each cartridge

Question 3

Personal safety

Answer 3

• Remove jewelry
• And name badge neck straps
• Or use breakaway straps
• Lifting technique
• Lift with your legs, keep your back straight
• Don’t carry overweight items
• You can get equipment to lift
• Electrical fire safety
• Don’t use water or foam
• Use carbon dioxide, FM-200, or other dry chemicals
• Remove the power source
• Cable management
• Avoid trip hazards
• Use cable ties or velcro
• Safety goggles
• Useful when working with chemicals
• Printer repair, toner, batteries
• Air filter mask
• Dusty computers
• Printer toner

Question 4

What is electrostatic discharge?

Answer 4

• Static electricity
• Electricity that doesn’t move
• Static electricity isn’t harmful to computers
• It’s the discharge that gets them
• ESD can be very damaging to computer components
• Silicon is very sensitive to high voltages
• Feel static discharge: ~3,500 volts
• Damage an electronic component: 100 volts or less

Question 5

Controlling ESD

Answer 5

• Humidity over 60% helps control ESD
• Won’t prevent all possible ESD
• Keeping an air conditioned room at 60% humidity
isn’t very practical

• Use your hand to self-ground
• Touch the exposed metal chassis before touching a
component
• You’ll want to unplug the power connection
• Always a good idea. Really.
• Do not connect yourself to an electrical ground!

• Try not to touch components directly
• Card edges only

Question 6

Preventing static discharge

Answer 6

• Anti-static strap
• Connect your wrist to a metal part of the computer
• Anti-static pad
• A workspace for the computer
• Anti-static mat
• A grounded mat for standing or sitting
• Anti-static bag
• Safely move or ship components