Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and How To Prevent It

INTRODUCTION

Electrostatic discharge is a killer: A killer of computer components. Without proper precautions, you can destroy your processor, your hard drive, your memory modules, any circuit in your computer, and ESD is common. Do not take it lightly! If you ever intend on working inside your computer, you MUST be aware of ESD.

WHAT IS IT?

ESD is simply static discharge. Every scoot your feet across a rug and shock your brother? ESD. Every go out to your car on a dry winter day and get shocked when you touch your car door? ESD. Those are shocks you can feel. It takes far less for your motherboard or video card to be destroyed.

ESD can have a dramatic effect and destroy a part outright, or its effects may take months to manifest themselves. One day your network card may be working fine, and two months later it may malfunction and thereafter get worse.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT ESD?

There are a number of things you can do. Some are much better than others. Take a look at the list below:

At the least, when you work inside your computer (make sure it is off!!), you should touch the power supply (that big silver box in the back) to ground yourself
Buy an ESD wrist strap. You wrap it around your wrist and connect an alligator clip to a metal area of your computer’s case. Make sure it is a metal area, and not painted.
Buy an ESD mat with a grounding wire that you can connect to a metal workbench, and repair your computer on that mat.
Place any component you take out of our computer at the least on, and preferably in an anti-static bag. Any hard drive or card you buy for your computer will come in an anti-static bag. Keep them.
For best protection, use a combination of these methods.

CONCLUSION

Don’t think it can’t happen to you. When you least expect it, when you let your guard down, you can fall victim. Call ComputerHelp USA for more information.

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