Int'l Wireless E2 manual Static Electricity, ESD, and Your palmOne Handheld

Static Electricity, ESD, and Your palmOne™ Handheld

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause damage to electronic devices if discharged into the device, so you should take steps to avoid such an occurrence.

Description of ESD

Static electricity is an electrical charge caused by the buildup of excess electrons on the surface of a material. To most people, static electricity and ESD are nothing more than annoyances. For example, after walking over a carpet while scuffing your feet, building up electrons on your body, you may get a shock -- the discharge event -- when you touch a metal doorknob. This little shock discharges the built-up static electricity.

ESD-susceptible equipment

Even a small amount of ESD can harm circuitry, so when working with electronic devices, take measures to help protect your electronic devices, including your palmOne™ handheld, from ESD harm. While palmOne has built protections against ESD into its products, ESD unfortunately exists and, unless neutralized, could build up to levels that could harm your equipment. Any electronic device that contains an external entry point for plugging in anything from cables to docking stations is susceptible to entry of ESD. Devices that you carry with you, such as your handheld, build up ESD in a unique way because the static electricity that may have built up on your body is automatically passed to the device. Then, when the device is connected to another device such as a docking station, a discharge event can occur.

Precautions against ESD

Make sure to discharge any built-up static electricity from yourself and your electronic devices before touching an electronic device or connecting one device to another. The recommendation from palmOne is that you take this precaution before connecting your handheld to your computer, placing the handheld in a cradle, or connecting it to any other device. You can do this in many ways, including the following:

•Ground yourself when you’re holding your mobile device by simultaneously touching a metal surface that is at earth ground.

•For example, if your computer has a metal case and is plugged into a standard three-prong grounded outlet, touching the case should discharge the ESD on your body.

•Increase the relative humidity of your environment.

•Install ESD-specific prevention items, such as grounding mats.

Conditions that enhance ESD occurrences

Conditions that can contribute to the buildup of static electricity in the environment include the following:

• Low relative humidity.

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