HP VA799UT 799UT#ABA Preventing ESD equipment damage, Personal grounding methods and equipment

Preventing ESD equipment damage

Many electronic components are sensitive to ESD. Circuitry design and structure determine the degree of sensitivity. The following packaging and grounding precautions are necessary to prevent damage to electric components and accessories:

●Transport products in static-safe containers such as tubes, bags, or boxes, to avoid hand contact.

●Protect electrostatic parts and assemblies with nonconductive or approved containers or packaging.

●Keep electrostatic-sensitive parts in their containers until they arrive at static-free stations.

●Place items on a grounded surface before removing them from containers.

●When handling or touching a sensitive component or assembly, ground yourself by touching the chassis.

●Avoid contact with pins, leads, or circuitry.

●Place reusable electrostatic-sensitive parts from assemblies in protective packaging or nonconductive foam.

Personal grounding methods and equipment

Use the following items to help prevent ESD damage:

●Wrist straps—These are flexible straps with a maximum of one megohm ± 10% resistance in the ground cords. To provide a proper ground, wear the strap 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, and boot straps—These 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 maximum of one megohm ± 10% resistance between the operator and ground.

The following table shows protection levels available from static shielding materials.

Table 5-1Static shielding protection levels

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

This section provides guidelines to prevent ESD damage to equipment.

ENWW Service considerations 61