Avoiding ESD with laptop motherboards

[bytebuster]

I've decided to shift focus to physical repairs of laptops, since that seems to be what is in demand in my area. I have purchased an anti-static mat for grounding my bare feet while I work with laptops, and anti-static gloves for my hands. Should that be enough? I was trained on desktops, and am learning laptop repair through working on busted specimens; not having the ability to "clip on" has me nervous. My workbench is an old oak dining table. I am also using a wood chair to sit in.

 

[vdub12]

I've decided to shift focus to physical repairs of laptops, since that seems to be what is in demand in my area. I have purchased an anti-static mat for grounding my bare feet while I work with laptops, and anti-static gloves for my hands. Should that be enough? I was trained on desktops, and am learning laptop repair through working on busted specimens; not having the ability to "clip on" has me nervous. My workbench is an old oak dining table. I am also using a wood chair to sit in.

I have been working on computers for over 20 years and hardware for well over 15 and i have never used a static strap of any kind. I have always made sure you equalize myself with the case, unplugged of course, and never had a problem.

The thing is if you completely ground yourself and not the computer or vice versa you are going to create ESD. the most important part is the static charge in your body equal the static charge in the component. In this buisness you may be required to work on computers on carpet and if that happens you need to understand how to make it work.

I am not saying that I have never messed up parts but to my knowledge I haven't.

 

[RegEdit]

It's extra "show" if you happen to be working on site for the customer.
I have a wrist strap, anti-static gloves and mat. At my shop I keep my feet on hard floors -- not carpet.
They say it only takes a minuscule amount of static but I've never fried anything -- and I take little or no precautions when working on my own stuff.

 

[atlanticjim]

I have this on my workbench for laptop disassembly. StarTech M3013 24x26 Desktop Anti-Static Mat But note that the cord has to be connected to earth ground and you have to equalize the charge from you to the mat. I happen to lean on my forearms when I work so that is not a problem.

I also would never be able to do laptop repair without my magnifying headset or my universal charger.

My work is 90% laptop now and I can give you this advice:
ALWAYS seek out a disassembly guide online. After years of doing this I still use the instructions, not doing so is cocky, will waste time and potentially damage the machine. (Uh oh. . . 4 screws left. . now where did they belong?)
Know your limitations and do not "practice" on your clients machines. Get a hold of some discarded lappys and disassemble and assemble them. I do not do any Mobo/PCB work, it all goes to a reliable outside subcontractor.

Don't be afraid, laptop repair is essential now. Good luck.

 

[Martyn]

I have this on my workbench for laptop disassembly. StarTech M3013 24x26 Desktop Anti-Static Mat But note that the cord has to be connected to earth ground and you have to equalize the charge from you to the mat. I happen to lean on my forearms when I work so that is not a problem.

I also would never be able to do laptop repair without my magnifying headset or my universal charger.

My work is 90% laptop now and I can give you this advice:
ALWAYS seek out a disassembly guide online. After years of doing this I still use the instructions, not doing so is cocky, will waste time and potentially damage the machine. (Uh oh. . . 4 screws left. . now where did they belong?)
Know your limitations and do not "practice" on your clients machines. Get a hold of some discarded lappys and disassemble and assemble them. I do not do any Mobo/PCB work, it all goes to a reliable outside subcontractor.

Don't be afraid, laptop repair is essential now. Good luck.

Yes board repairs get outsourced the problem is most(if not all) decide to not go ahead with that on a 3 year old laptop.

 

[MobileTechie]

As I understand it, it's possible to damage chips so with discharges you wouldn't feel and in such a way that the problem might not immediately be apparent. So an earthed strap is probably pretty good idea.

I work on some of that pink anti-static foam you get in the box when you buy an LCD panel - mostly just to prevent scratching of the laptop.

 

[vdub12]

As I understand it, it's possible to damage chips so with discharges you wouldn't feel and in such a way that the problem might not immediately be apparent. So an earthed strap is probably pretty good idea.

I work on some of that pink anti-static foam you get in the box when you buy an LCD panel - mostly just to prevent scratching of the laptop.

No grounding the device and not your self is worthless. Like posted before you want to equalize yourself with the device. If you ground the device but not yourself you will fry something. This is another reason you never work on a computer plugged in. When the systems plugged in its grounded.

 

[MobileTechie]

No grounding the device and not your self is worthless. Like posted before you want to equalize yourself with the device. If you ground the device but not yourself you will fry something. This is another reason you never work on a computer plugged in. When the systems plugged in its grounded.

I just touch something earthed before working .

 

[Vicenarian]

Are you guys out of your minds!?!? Static electricity can KILL sensitive electronic equipment without you even being able to feel it! This stuff is dangerous!

That being said, I generally use this:

 

[bytebuster]

I have been working on computers for over 20 years and hardware for well over 15 and i have never used a static strap of any kind. I have always made sure you equalize myself with the case, unplugged of course, and never had a problem.

The thing is if you completely ground yourself and not the computer or vice versa you are going to create ESD. the most important part is the static charge in your body equal the static charge in the component. In this buisness you may be required to work on computers on carpet and if that happens you need to understand how to make it work.

I am not saying that I have never messed up parts but to my knowledge I haven't.

I will be working on laptops on carpet, unfortunately. Not a shaggy carpet, just industrial type carpet. I put an anti-static mat on the floor to put a barrier between me and the carpet.

 

[wimwauters]

No grounding the device and not your self is worthless. Like posted before you want to equalize yourself with the device. If you ground the device but not yourself you will fry something. This is another reason you never work on a computer plugged in. When the systems plugged in its grounded.

Yes, but all you have to do in the grounded device case, is to make sure you 'stay in touch' with the computer case or a 'ground' contact. As long as you are not moonwalking on the carpet, you shouldn't have to do that too often during your work.

I use my (grounded) radiators first to get rid of any excessive static build-up, and then I make sure to touch the case or ground/neutral 'plane' first.

I think the wristbands came about from employing people on the cheap, not spending time on making sure they understand how static is built up. Or allowing them to wear static generating clothes such as lycra or them plastic tracksuit things

 

[vdub12]

Yes, but all you have to do in the grounded device case, is to make sure you 'stay in touch' with the computer case or a 'ground' contact. As long as you are not moonwalking on the carpet, you shouldn't have to do that too often during your work.

I use my (grounded) radiators first to get rid of any excessive static build-up, and then I make sure to touch the case or ground/neutral 'plane' first.

I think the wristbands came about from employing people on the cheap, not spending time on making sure they understand how static is built up. Or allowing them to wear static generating clothes such as lycra or them plastic tracksuit things

I agree. When working on carpet I am very cautious to only make adjustments to my footing when I can touch the case. Most ESD equipment in my opinion was created because it was easier then schooling people on how to not build up a charge in the first place.

You know how they ground them selfs at BB/GS. They run there feet across a rug and then rub a balloon on there head and leave the balloon there while they work.

 

[MobileTechie]

I've just installed some anti-static points in my workbench.

They are extremely advanced technologically and provide linked, multiple earthing points.

Well sort of. I attached some cable to the radiator down pipe with a jubilee clip and then to a few bolts that are screwed through the worktop. I can clip a wriststrap or pad to them.

 

[Cbrooks]

I've never shocked a component dead but here is what I have witnessed/done:

A coworker install ram and did not seat it in all the way - Fried the ram black smoke included with a lingering smell.

An intern touching ram while the power was on - shocked her but still worked.

While I was working on a laptop I forgot to pull the battery and while connecting a new lcd screen hit the power button and fried the laptop into oblivion.

I was shocked by a graphics card and bled while I was trying to see if a gpu's fan was spinning, it still worked afterward; however my finger didn't.

I've sliced my finger on a spinning cpu fan (young and dumb)

 

[red12049]

Question for all those who say they've never killed a component with S.E.:

How do you *know* that?

Rick

 

[wimwauters]

Question for all those who say they've never killed a component with S.E.:

How do you *know* that?

Rick

Excellent point. The nasty thing about ESD is that in normal circumstances, you will not get an instant kill, but just a reduction of the lifespan of the component.

Well sort of. I attached some cable to the radiator down pipe .

I think we should point out this only works if your radiator system is earthed, i.e.:
- it's attached to an oil tank which has been installed underground
- an electrician has gone round your house and earthed your radiator system at multiple locations (which is standard procedure in the UK, complete with ugly tags)

Even then, I don't think we are supposed to actually use the radiator system as an earthing system. I only use it to dissipate excess build-up of static electricity from my body. For earthing, you should rely on your electrical system/power points.

 

[coreyspeed]

for correct esd you should wear a strap that is plugged directly into earth.


i.e you should have these

 

[usacvlr]

I work on them on old towels and never worried about static and have yet to kill a board.

I've decided to shift focus to physical repairs of laptops, since that seems to be what is in demand in my area. I have purchased an anti-static mat for grounding my bare feet while I work with laptops, and anti-static gloves for my hands. Should that be enough? I was trained on desktops, and am learning laptop repair through working on busted specimens; not having the ability to "clip on" has me nervous. My workbench is an old oak dining table. I am also using a wood chair to sit in.

 

[ATTech]

for correct esd you should wear a strap that is plugged directly into earth.

Complete overkill. With the power cable plugged in, touch your hand to a metallic part of the case and you will discharge and built up static electricity.