Chapter 4: System Safety
4-3
4-3 ESD Precautions
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 sufficient to neutralize this difference before
contact is made to protect your equipment from ESD:
z Use a grounded wrist strap designed to prevent static discharge.
z Keep all components and printed circuit boards (PCBs) in their
antistatic bags until ready for use.
z Touch a grounded metal object before removing any board from its
antistatic bag.
z 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.
z Handle a board by its edges only; do not touch its components,
peripheral chips, memory modules or contacts.
z When handling chips or modules, avoid touching their pins.
z Put the serverboard and peripherals back into their antistatic bags
when not in use.
z For grounding purposes, make sure your computer chassis provides
excellent conductivity between the power supply, the case, the mounting
fasteners and the serverboard.
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power is present.
z After accessing the inside of the system, close the system back up
and secure it to the rack unit with the retention screws after ensuring
that all connections have been made.