[TriLUG] OT:<rant>Intrex just lost a customer</rant>

[Michael Thompson]

On Tue, 2004-05-18 at 11:56, Brian Daniels wrote:
> On Tue, May 18, 2004 at 11:40:21AM -0400, Christopher L Merrill wrote:
> > Mike M wrote:
> > >ESD is a risk, but it's effectiveness may be overstated.  
> > 
> > It should be noted that the properties of static transmission through
> > the human body varies greatly from person to person.  I, too, have
> > handled lots of hardware without ever taking much precautions...and have
> > never had a problem.  But I have a friend who starts loosing components
> > as soon as he takes the cover off.  I'd swear he can ruin boards just
> > by looking at them.
> > 
> 
> The problem is that ESD damage can be subtle.  The component can be damaged
> by the ESD but continue to work - with a shortened lifespan.  Or it can
> fail in non-obvious ways, like a DIMM with a stuck bit.

Exactly, ignoring ESD risks is definitely a *bad* thing, ESD risk can
*never* be overstated.  Ignoring the risk of ESD damage while working on
sensitive components is like ignoring infection and doing surgery with
bare unwashed hands.  Just because you cant see or feel it, doesn't mean
its not there.  It takes thousands of volts to create a visual static
discharge (or one that you can feel).  With many of the modern
components today using much less than 5 volts, well, you do the math.

> Get enough charge and it can be dramatic.  I once reached out to plug in a 
> network cable on a PC and Pow!  A visible white spark from finger to 10BT 
> connector.  That network card was toast.
> 
> My current desk chair is really bad in winter.  Standing up causes audible 
> crackles in the chair fabric and pops from my desk speakers as they amplify 
> the induced RFI.  I don't work on systems from this chair!
> 
> In short (ha!), grounding yourself is just good practice, especially with 
> sensitive items like memory.  You can probably get away with not doing it, 
> but why take the risk?

Yes, I agree, many people only *think* they got away with it, and will
never realize even when components fail months down the road...

Just my $.02

--mike
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