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Questions tagged [static-discharge]

Discharge of static electricity which can potentially damage sensitive electronics

Electrostatic charge can build up on a human. When discharged on sensitive electronic components, e.g. when opening a computer, this can potentially damage the hardware, even if too weak to be felt.

Charge can be dissipated by ing oneself, by using an anti-static wrist strap or periodically touching grounded metal.

Compare , which is when malfunctioning hardware shocks the human.

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Monitor/screen that blanks due to static electricity in my chair

I come to you today for a rather special request, but you may be the best people to answer it. I am a developer and I have an Ikea standing desk (automatic one) in an open space. I have a big static electricity problem: When I get up from my chair,…
André DS
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Is ESD a serious risk on modern machines?

I heard that static electricity was a serious concern a couple of decades ago. However, many computer builders now don't seem to bother with things like electro-static discharge (ESD) straps or other measures when working on a system. Are computers…
Ricku
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Why should I not keep things producing static electricity near my computer cabinet?

My Dad suggests you are not supposed to keep anything that produces static electricity nearby your computer. Why would this be advised? If true, which things produce static electricity? How far should I keep them away? What are the other computer…
subanki
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Using anti-static wrist strap to ground against laptop

I want to do laptop maintenance and looking to ground myself with an anti-static wrist strap. How, or where, do I ground myself to the laptop? Where can I find a grounding point in order to not make a mistake and spoil something?
Boris_yo
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Do I need an antistatic bag when mailing a CPU?

I am about to send a used CPU I sold on eBay to the buyer. I do not have an anti-static bag handy, and they seem to be difficult to come by in shops, at least in my neighbourhood. I could place a mail order but I fear that would take too long. Is it…
Pekka
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USB ports get disabled by hub due to EMI?

I am seeing the following message in the Linux kernel log: usb usb1-port5: disabled by hub (EMI?), re-enabling... After that USB devices are disconnected. In some cases they reconnect immediately, in other cases they don't. In the latter cases, I…
Helmut Grohne
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Why does my PC sometimes power down when I shock myself on my desk?

I've always been cursed with the ability to develop a static charge very easily. It's never caused problems just sitting at my keyboard before. (I always discharge before I get inside to tinker) My system recently started shutting down when I come…
benrifkah
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Plastic gloves to protect from electro-static discharge?

It is often advised when repairing a computer that one should use special anti-static bracelets to protect the electronic parts from electro-static discharge. Would plastic gloves or latex gloves (e.g. medical disposable gloves) protect from…
user253974
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4 answers

Which static electricity prevention tools do actually work?

I need a device that would discharge static electricity from my body in order to safely work with electronics. I have looked and found some that interested me, but I don't know whether they work: Anti-Static Wrist Strap Anti-Static Release…
Boris_yo
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Front USB Port Grounding Issues

I think I have a static electricity problem. I have two computers in my house and a fiancé that wears fuzzy socks. Sometimes, when she plugs in USB devices into the front ports of her desktop computer (or my computer), the computer will instantly…
Matthew Ruston
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Should I use an antistatic wrist strap when changing the RAM on my laptop?

I am about to upgrade my laptop's RAM and I'm concerned about using an antistatic wrist strap. Is it smart to use one or not very necessary? What are the chances I could damage my laptop?
wahle509
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Using electrostatically charged air filters on computer fans? Will I just be blowing charged particles into my case?

I've searched long and hard to try to find a straight answer to this question, but there seems to only be information on how electrostatically charged air filters work (you know, the kind you put on your central air conditioning air intakes) and not…
Taal
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static electricity binds pages during printing

I have a Dell 1135n desktop printer. It has the option of 2-sided printing. This feature requires that I print one side and then manually turn the pages over to print the other. Unfortunately, in the process of printing the first side so much…
Mark Miller
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Electric shocks to USB cable

I have a USB cable that I plug my iPhone into while I'm at my desk. Often when I reach to plug it in, there is a small electric shock (especially during winter). Will this damage anything? I know that electrical equipment can be damaged by small…
David Oneill
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Building my very first PC, how much of an issue is static?

I'm building my very first PC and I'm happy to say all the components are on their way! (I checked and double checked they'd be compatible first). I've read and heard from my friends all about this "static electricity" that people think could…
David
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