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#1
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
I've done a very limited amount of searching of the Usenet archives to find
recommendations for antistatic mats. One post stated that some cheaper antistatic mats quickly lose conductivity and become ineffective. What are the differences in materials or construction between high-quality and low-quality antistatic mats? I will only rarely need to use an antistatic mat, at most a few times per year. So I would prefer to limit my expenditure. But I want an antistatic mat that I can be confident in. I know that there are many PC home-builders who have built multiple systems without using an antistatic mat. For me, the investment in a quality antistatic mat is worthwhile. |
#2
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
"Allen Weiner" wrote in message ... I've done a very limited amount of searching of the Usenet archives to find recommendations for antistatic mats. One post stated that some cheaper antistatic mats quickly lose conductivity and become ineffective. What are the differences in materials or construction between high-quality and low-quality antistatic mats? I will only rarely need to use an antistatic mat, at most a few times per year. So I would prefer to limit my expenditure. But I want an antistatic mat that I can be confident in. I know that there are many PC home-builders who have built multiple systems without using an antistatic mat. For me, the investment in a quality antistatic mat is worthwhile. If you are only going to use it a few times a year, an antistatic wrist strap would be a better idea: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...697&CatId=1802 (no connection with tigerdirect) To use it, take whatever PC you are working on, make sure the power supply is properly installed in the case. Then plug the power supply in briefly. Unplug the power supply. Now there should be no static electricity in the case. Clip the end of the cable to any metal part of the interior of the case. BUT, the shortcut is to just keep one hand ON the case while you are working. If you need two hands, just position one arm so that the arm is touching a metal part of the case. -Dave |
#3
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
"Mike T." wrote in message reenews.net... "Allen Weiner" wrote in message ... I've done a very limited amount of searching of the Usenet archives to find recommendations for antistatic mats. One post stated that some cheaper antistatic mats quickly lose conductivity and become ineffective. What are the differences in materials or construction between high-quality and low-quality antistatic mats? I will only rarely need to use an antistatic mat, at most a few times per year. So I would prefer to limit my expenditure. But I want an antistatic mat that I can be confident in. I know that there are many PC home-builders who have built multiple systems without using an antistatic mat. For me, the investment in a quality antistatic mat is worthwhile. If you are only going to use it a few times a year, an antistatic wrist strap would be a better idea: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...697&CatId=1802 (no connection with tigerdirect) To use it, take whatever PC you are working on, make sure the power supply is properly installed in the case. Then plug the power supply in briefly. Unplug the power supply. Now there should be no static electricity in the case. Clip the end of the cable to any metal part of the interior of the case. BUT, the shortcut is to just keep one hand ON the case while you are working. If you need two hands, just position one arm so that the arm is touching a metal part of the case. -Dave I own an antistatic wrist strap (from CompUSA). But from my reading, I've decided that I should have a mat also. I think it might have been a thread in an ArsTechnica forum discussing ESD that led me to this conclusion. I know almost everyone will say that for my frequency of use, an ESD kit (strap plus mat) is not cost effective. But I believe it's the right thing to do. So, if anyone else chooses to reply, what are the differences in materials or construction between a high-quality and a low-quality antistatic mat? |
#4
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
In article ,
"Allen Weiner" wrote: I own an antistatic wrist strap (from CompUSA). But from my reading, I've decided that I should have a mat also. I think it might have been a thread in an ArsTechnica forum discussing ESD that led me to this conclusion. I know almost everyone will say that for my frequency of use, an ESD kit (strap plus mat) is not cost effective. But I believe it's the right thing to do. So, if anyone else chooses to reply, what are the differences in materials or construction between a high-quality and a low-quality antistatic mat? The best way to dissipate static, is not to have really conductive materials (like a sheet of tinfoil), as an ESD discharge then occurs in microseconds, and the current flow is measured in amps. The antistatic components should be slightly conductive, so the static is discharged a bit more slowly, and everything laid on the mat, is brought to an equal potential in a couple seconds. (Of course, your wrist strap should be clipped into the mat system as well. The wrist strap has its own series resistance, to limit current flow as well.) My local electronics store carries products from this company. The problem with the more professional products, is you get gouged on price. But it is kinda hard to predict what "bargain" product, will last over the long haul. http://www.desco.com/ Paul |
#5
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
Pink anti-static foam sheet for shipping works well and is much
cheaper, and pink anti-static bubble wrap is adequate as well.. Work barefoot, in short sleeves, and with all power cords unplugged from AC outlets. Short sleeves greatly increase the odds that you'll be discharged through your forearms. Lay everything to be installed on the anti-static surface before removing it from its packaging |
#6
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
I'm just curious if anyone on here has ever really had a problem with
static destroying components. I'm not a professional builder and don't do it extremely often; but over the last 20 years or so I've probably had to crack open my computer and install 3 dozen or more cards/memory/drives and the like, and built a half dozen machines. I've never used any sort of anti-static band/matt or whatever and have never had any problems. The most precautions I've ever taken was to first ground myself on an outlet face plate; but probably only bothered to do that once or twice. I was just curious if any of you really had a problem with static. I'm sure it happens, but it has to be fairly rare. |
#7
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
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#8
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
I often use the pink plastic packing material as a small mat to place
the part prior to installation. I wear cotton clothing and mist it lightly with water 5 minutes before I open the case or a box, and connect a anti-wrist strap to the case. I prefer the straps that have a coil cord. If you have carpeting, mist the carpet and go barefoot. On 17 Mar 2006 06:57:36 GMT, "George Pontis" wrote: Allen Weiner wrote: I've done a very limited amount of searching of the Usenet archives to find recommendations for antistatic mats. One post stated that some cheaper antistatic mats quickly lose conductivity and become ineffective. What are the differences in materials or construction between high-quality and low-quality antistatic mats? I will only rarely need to use an antistatic mat, at most a few times per year. So I would prefer to limit my expenditure. But I want an antistatic mat that I can be confident in. I know that there are many PC home-builders who have built multiple systems without using an antistatic mat. For me, the investment in a quality antistatic mat is worthwhile. 3M is one of the best known vendors for anti-static mats and related gear used in the business environment. I have found the no-name brand from jameco ( www.jameco.com ) to be just fine for occasional use. |
#9
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 16:01:35 GMT, Phisherman
wrote: I often use the pink plastic packing material as a small mat to place the part prior to installation. I wear cotton clothing and mist it lightly with water 5 minutes before I open the case or a box, and connect a anti-wrist strap to the case. I prefer the straps that have a coil cord. If you have carpeting, mist the carpet and go barefoot. for the record, pink plastic sucks. dries up too. Just use some folded al foil and stick a 1 meg resister in line to your grounding point. leave your elbows on the foil and you won't need a wrist strap. use the 3m stuff if the above doesn't suit you. |
#10
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Antistatic mat - what to look for?
Plain old timber does fine.
Don't have a metal bench. |
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