Chapter 4: System Safety
4-3 ESD Precautions
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Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is generated by two objects with different electrical charges coming into contact with each other. An electrical discharge is created to neutralize this difference, which can damage electronic components and printed circuit boards. The following measures are generally suffi cient to neutralize this difference before contact is made to protect your equipment from ESD:
Use a grounded wrist strap designed to prevent static discharge.
Keep all components and printed circuit boards (PCBs) in their antistatic bags until ready for use.
Touch a grounded metal object before removing the board from the antistatic bag.
Do not let components or PCBs come into contact with your clothing, which may retain a charge even if you are wearing a wrist strap.
Handle a board by its edges only; do not touch its components, peripheral chips, memory modules or contacts.
When handling chips or modules, avoid touching their pins.
Put the motherboard and peripherals back into their antistatic bags when not in use.
For grounding purposes, make sure your computer chassis provides excellent conductivity between the power supply, the case, the mounting fasteners and the motherboard.