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Why are you not practicing and promoting proper ESD control?

Please add steps and edit video tutorials involving taking apart electronics to promote proper ESD handling practices by putting on a properly grounded ESD wrist strap BEFORE taking expensive electronic equipment apart. It is a very wise thing to do, especially in a home working environment where static control is minimal or non-existent (especially during the winter). People could be irreparably damaging their equipment by simply following these tutorials without knowing about the dangers of not following standard ESD precautions.

BTW - Concept of this site is awesome!

Thanks!

Answer this question I have this problem too

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IMO - Most devices these days have protected inputs so it isn't that big an issue unless you're building something for the next Mars rover or something...

I used to lug an ESD mat and wrist strap with me and religiously used it for repairs and while swapping out boards. I got old, lazy and somewhere I stopped using it. I now just touch off on the metal frame of the equipment before I pull a board or start a component repair.

Have I damaged something with ESD? maybe.. Have I had something not work or go fritz because of ESD? Not that I know of, but hey perhaps that iMac in the corner with the duff VGA may be the first victim?

Discussing ESD safety is a good idea, getting all pious about it isn't.

The best benefit of an ESD mat is that it forces you to prepare a clean/clear space to work in.

*ducks and prepares to be flamed*

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*I got old, lazy and somewhere I stopped using it. I now just touch off on the metal frame of the equipment before I pull a board or start a component repair.* FULL ACK - never had any problems with the same method.

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That's what I do too-nothing has happened when I work on my older PC's-even worked on the Mac well; this Mac was NOT fried from opening it to change the HDD

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I have a ESD wriststrap, but I have not used it in so long, I have since forgotten where I keep it

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You're right, we probably don't stress it enough. I'm open to ideas on how it could be integrated throughout our thousands of electronics guides. We should have a page like this explaining exactly what precautions should be taken when working with electronics. That would give us a central place to link to.

We recommend this wrist strap on just about every guide. There have also been a number of discussions about ESD safety.

It's interesting to me that we don't hear more problems caused by ESD. Has anyone here accidentally fried a chip? I know cell phone repair technicians that have repaired thousands of phones and have no clue what ESD is.

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I've a clue what it is.. Don't do much to prevent it, no problem so far! Ripping off solder parts yes, fried chips no...

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I followed fairly common sense practices (don't rub your feet on carpet before handling a new RAM chip) for about 10 years without any real strict rules for myself, and I surprisingly never fried anything. Since then, I learned much better practices, and I'm now much more careful.

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ESD is severely overrated... Richdave pretty much sums it up.

The last time I used a grounding strap was ohhh, the 90s or so.

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I partially agree not to overdo concerning ESD - but there is no mistake to follow some measures. Completed devices or PCBs are not as jeopardized as single semiconductors. But it is always depending of the charged voltage. I have seen dying whole main boards after a finger touch. The guy had some kind of plastic carpet and if you shake hands you got an electric shock.

My opinion is to take some precautions concerning ESD! It is not expensive. Every defect at any devices makes much more trouble!

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Touching the unpainted part of the case is enough, and touch again if you need to get something

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