Compaq NC6400 manual Preventing Electrostatic Damage

Removal and Replacement Preliminaries

4.4 Preventing Electrostatic Damage

Many electronic components are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Circuitry design and structure determine the degree of sensitivity. Networks built into many integrated circuits provide some protection, but in many cases, the discharge contains enough power to alter device parameters or melt silicon junctions.

A sudden discharge of static electricity from a finger or other conductor can destroy static-sensitive devices or microcircuitry. Often the spark is neither felt nor heard, but damage occurs.

An electronic device exposed to electrostatic discharge might not be affected at all and can work perfectly throughout a normal cycle. Or the device might function normally for a while, then degrade in the internal layers, reducing its life expectancy.

4–4 Maintenance and Service Guide