Table of Contents
Advertisement
Inside your computer
Anti-static precautions
Static electricity can cause permanent damage to electronic
components. You should be aware of this risk, and take
precautions against the discharge of static electricity into
your computer.
Anyone can generate static electricity by moving on a chair,
brushing against desks or walls, or simply walking across an
ordinary carpet. Items handed from one person to another,
or being wrapped or unwrapped, can acquire a static charge.
Air conditioning systems can also result in ambient static.
Clothing made of synthetic fibres is particularly likely to
generate static electricity; this static electricity is often
completely unnoticed by the wearer, but can be sufficient
to cripple or impair an electronic component.
Your computer is at risk from static discharge while the top
cover is off. This is because the electronic components of
the motherboard are exposed. Expansion cards, SIMMs and
OverDrive processors are other examples of electrostatic
sensitive devices (ESDs).
All work that involves removing the computer's top cover
must be done in an area completely free of static electricity.
In order to ensure this it is recommended that you use a
Special Handling Area (SHA) as defined by EN 100015-1: 1992.
This means that working surfaces, floor coverings and chairs
must be connected to a common earth reference point, and
you should wear an earthed wrist strap and anti-static clothing.
It is also a good idea to use an ionizer or humidifier to remove
static from the air.
When installing any add-on, be sure you understand what
the installation procedure involves before you start. This will
enable you to plan your work, and so minimize the amount
of time that sensitive components are exposed.
Do not remove the computer's top cover, nor the anti-static
bag or wrapping of any add-on, until you need to.
A/2 XEN OWNER'S HANDBOOK
Advertisement
Table of Contents
