Compaq EP Series Personal Grounding Methods and Equipment, Grounding Workstations, Method Voltage

3.2.3Personal Grounding Methods and Equipment

Use the following equipment to prevent static electricity damage to equipment:

!Wrist straps are flexible straps with a minimum of one-megohm +/- 10% resistance in the ground cords. To provide proper ground, a strap must be worn snug against bare skin. The ground cord must be connected and fit snugly into the banana plug connector on the grounding mat or workstation.

!Heel straps/Toe straps/Boot straps can be used at standing workstations and are compatible with most types of shoes or boots. On conductive floors or dissipative floor mats, use them on both feet with a minimum of one-megohm +/- 10% resistance between the operator and ground.

Static Shielding Protection Levels

Method	Voltage
Antistatic plastic	1,500
Carbon-loaded plastic	7,500
Metallized laminate	15,000

3.2.4Grounding Workstations

To prevent static damage at the workstation, use the following precautions:

!Cover the workstation with approved static-dissipative material. Provide a wrist strap connected to the work surface and properly grounded tools and equipment.

!Use static-dissipative mats, foot straps, or air ionizers to give added protection.

!Handle electrostatic sensitive components, parts, and assemblies by the case or PCB laminate. Handle them only at static-free workstations.

!Turn off power and input signals before inserting and removing connectors or test equipment.

!Use fixtures made of static-safe materials when fixtures must directly contact dissipative surfaces.

!Keep work area free of nonconductive materials such as ordinary plastic assembly aids and Styrofoam.

!Use field service tools, such as cutters, screwdrivers, and vacuums, that are conductive.

3.2.5Recommended Materials and Equipment

Materials and equipment that are recommended for use in preventing static electricity include:

!Antistatic tape

!Antistatic smocks, aprons, or sleeve protectors

!Conductive bins and other assembly or soldering aids

!Conductive foam

!Conductive tabletop workstations with ground cord of one-megohm +/- 10% resistance

3-4 Removal and Replacement Preliminaries