2007-01-11 06:38:05 · 9 answers · asked by KIMBERLEY C 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
For equipment that is turned off (such as when installing a new card or RAM in a computer), you're trying to protect the equipment from static damage rather than protect youself, so...
You can get conducting wrist straps that go round your wrist and do up with velcro. The are attached by a curly cable to a copper bus-bar in a factory leading to ground. In the home, it might go to a water pipe, which in most countries has to be earthed according to the building regulations.
See wikipedia article.
If you google for 'anti static wrist strap', it will take you to sites that sell, not just those, but anti static mats etc to go on your work-bench, with similar earth leads.
For tinkering with live equipment (unwise), such as during electronic testing with meters and oscilloscopes etc, you're trying to protect yourself from electrocution. Search for articles by qualified people on how to insulate yourself from earth. The 3rd link below is one, but find others. It would include such things as insulating shoes, gloves, etc, and old tricks such as keeping one hand in your back pocket, so there is no risk of current going from live, up one arm, through your chest and heart, down your other arm, to neutral or earth. Also, not letting jewelry dangle into live equipment, etc, and other stupid things people do.
2007-01-11 06:47:56 · answer #1 · answered by ricochet 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to be careful with this.
If the equipment if off and unplugged, then eathing yourself to its chassis can prevent damage to sensitive electronic components.
If working on high voltage equipment, even when switched off, such as TV, CRT monitor or microwave, be aware that these contain devices which store significant amounts of energy at dangerously high voltages.
For example, you can get a lethal shock from the capacitor in a microwave oven, even weeks after it has last been used.
A TV tube, or CRT monitor needs in excess of 25000 volts on the tube to work and the tube will store this charge for quite a long time. Also, in some designs of TV set, there is a capacitor in the power supply connected to a rectifier which will be at around 400V.
I have had a severe shock from a battery operated radio - from the anode voltage on one of the valves.
I spend many years working with electrical and electronic equipment to know that you must take great care.
Earthing oneself, when working on live equipment, can put you in great danger, as you have provided a path to ground for the current through your body.
Have you ever wondered why so many electricians work with one hand in their pockets. This is to prevent the shock current going accross the heart (from hand to hand) as the current (0.7mA can me felt by most people and 10mA can be fatal) will interupt the beat of your heart if it goes anywhere near these muscles.
Also be aware that DC is much more dangerous that AC. A DC shock will cause the muscles to contract and grip the object firmly. At least with AC, the current goes on and off, so you have a chance of letting go.
Tip No1.
Never work alone with electricity
Tip No2.
Make sure the person you are with knows how to kill the current and knows how to resuscutate you.
2007-01-11 07:15:55 · answer #2 · answered by David P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get an earth wrist-strap like this one:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=earth%20strap&doy=11m1&source=15
If you are working on computers for instance you attach it to the chassis. That way any build up of electricity (electrostatic) in your body is dissipated onto it.
If the frame or chassis is not earthed , work with it on a metal tray and use that instead.
Try and keep off nylon carpets, especially when wearing slippers.
Hope that helps.
2007-01-11 07:00:07 · answer #3 · answered by nigel t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why a special anti-static bracelet sold in a electronic store.
Or remove your shoes (so as not to insulate yourself with the soles of your shoes) and touch the frame of your computer before working on it.
2007-01-11 06:45:43 · answer #4 · answered by Marvin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stand in a bath of water with bare feet.
2007-01-11 06:49:17 · answer #5 · answered by rogerglyn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can buy metal bracelts which have a cable which you plug into something which is earthed, like on the side of the computer case
2007-01-11 06:43:40 · answer #6 · answered by dan.harris9 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Roll up one sleeve and rest your arm on a biscuit tin lid. Simple, cheap and effective.
2007-01-11 10:06:18 · answer #7 · answered by James Mack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wear Rubber, and become Grounded.
Rubber boots/ shoes , and gloves for your hands.
2007-01-11 06:50:12 · answer #8 · answered by elliebear 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
stand on the yellow pages in your wellies
2007-01-11 06:43:33 · answer #9 · answered by Roxley x 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋