Question

How can you prevent damage to a component prior to touching it?​

Answer 1

Answer: Some components are electrostatic sensitive – meaning they are so sophisticated even the static electricity in a body can damage them. This is the reason we ground ourselves (so we have no static charge). Then touch the components.

How to Ground yourself- These precautions to avoid damaging your computer’s internal parts.

1. In order to prevent built-up static form transferring from you to delicate computer components, you’ll need to discharge the static into something more durable.
2. Use your PC case to ground yourself- The number of builders uses this technique: before touching or installing something on the computer that can be harmed by ESD (e.g., the motherboard), place your hand on an unpainted metal piece of the PC’s case.
3. You should be touch grounded metal objects every couple of minutes- It must be an unpainted metal object with a clear ground path, such as the bay shielding on your PC’s case. This is a quick option.
4. Ground yourself with an anti-static wristband- This can be found at electronics stores and online. Wear this tight against your skin, and clip the dangling end onto a grounded, unpainted metal object such as a screw.
5. Connect yourself to a grounded metal object with a wire- This is a common technique for keeping oneself grounded is tying a conductive wire, such as copper, around one’s toe or wrist and then tying the other end around an unpainted and grounded metal object. This works if you have the materials on-hand and don’t have a way to work on a hard surface.
6. Use ESD Mat- ESD mat rated for “conductive” or “dissipative”, then place the parts of the computer on the ESD mat and touch the mat as you work.

You should take these general precautions also-

• Work on a hard surface
• Stand on a hard floor (wood, tile etc.) in bare feet –don’t wear socks, don’t stand on carpets.
• Don’t wear all static-friendly clothing- use cotton clothes
• Keep all components in antistatic bags