Got|Apex? Article: Protecting Your Computer from Electrostatic Discharge 11/30/2001

[Leon]

Thanks for reading the article. Please post any questions or comments in this thread.


http://www.gotapex.com/reviews.php?rev=esd/index.html

[Devhux]

Wow!

Excellent article there coleslaw. I learned a heck of a lot from that article.

Considering the amount of work I do with computers, I guess I'd better get an anti-static wrist strap ASAP. So far I've been pretty lucky, but who knows how long that would last.

The part that worried me the most was that we might not realize it when we send an ESD charge through an electronic device (less than 2000 volts).

On another note, welcome to the Got|Apex? crew. Can't wait to see more articles. :)

[Heihachi]

I've been using the "touching the power supply" tactic for awhile now. No anti-static brace for me! I heard that if you unplug your comp... it's worse? Guess not.. seems like Coleslaw know's his ish.

I suppose this article DID scare me into buying myself a wrist brace... but then again.. nothing bad has happened yet... knock on wood.

[ironchef]

Good timing for your article, slaw, I'm considering building a plexicase for myself.

That said, you have any suggestions for me? I've been researching and both ESD and RFI seem to be major factors for consideration in building one of these. Some suggestions were to line the interior with a fine wire mesh or even aluminum foil (mostly for RFI). These both seem silly though. Not much reason in building a plexiglass case if it's not transparent.

I was thinking of using little sheets of metal to run along seems (kind of like a long elbow brace). Would that provide some protection?

[attgig]

Originally posted by Heihachi
I've been using the "touching the power supply" tactic for awhile now. No anti-static brace for me! I heard that if you unplug your comp... it's worse? Guess not.. seems like Coleslaw know's his ish.

I suppose this article DID scare me into buying myself a wrist brace... but then again.. nothing bad has happened yet... knock on wood.


I'm in the same exact boat as heih...

anyways slaw...nice article...and keep em comin :D

[coleslaw]

The only way to truly contain the electromagnetic fields generated by PC components and ultimately the interference caused by these fields is to construct what is known as a Farady cage. Basically, a Faraday cage is an enclosure made of conducting metal that will inhibit EM fields from propagating to the exterior. Most people building plexiglass cases purposefully ignore the EMI problem because there is no simple solution. On this same note, some computer users are routinely taking off the side panel of their cases for better cooling, yet no real problems are caused. Also, plexiglass windows have been incorporated into modified computer cases, yet nothing is ever done to prevent EMI.

Your static electricity problem is much easier to address. You should be able to find a variety of antistat sprays that you could apply to your plexi case. These sprays are generally clear and can be applied to virtually any surface.

Best of luck!