Protection from Static discharges.

[whm1974]

While I take some precautions against this like washing my hands before handling computer parts. I'm thinking of getting a humidifier as a preventive measure. I never had anything rendered anything nonfunctional, or damaged. And of course I don't wear any artificial or animal fibers. Plant Fibers only thank you very much. So safe there.

 

When I replaced the Fans on my GTX 970, I placed the Card flat on a cotton towel and the only screw I lost was from the older 760 I had. This was trying to put the shroud back on. Now Works just fine.

 

Should I take more precautions? Why can't Designers and Fab come up with something that protects completely against Static.

 

 

[IPD]

They can and have.  Look for integrated circuit boards from the 1960s, back when die shrinks didn't exponentially increase the potential of catastrophic failure in this way.

[OhioYJ]

Not that you shouldn't take any precautions, but you are probably be overly paranoid. Have you ever watched any of the videos LTT or Jay did on what it takes or can you kill hardware with static? Ground yourself and you should be fine. 

 

As for completely protect something from static, they can't really. If something something was completely isolated, how would you plug into it? If it's completely covered it's not going to be good for thermals either. Not to mention unnecessary expense. Out of all the ways hardware does, static electricity is not likely high on the list if I had to guess.

[Moonzy]

25 minutes ago, whm1974 said:

When I replaced the Fans on my GTX 970, I placed the Card flat on a cotton towel

The general advice is to avoid working on any surface that may induce static electric, and I believe cotton cloth may be one of them?

Use rubber table mats or something, or even the box the GPU/electronics comes in

 

26 minutes ago, whm1974 said:

Should I take more precautions?

Nah, just don't be stupid is the general rule

Accidents do happen from time to time though, can't really help with that

 

27 minutes ago, whm1974 said:

Why can't Designers and Fab come up with something that protects completely against Static.

That would require the components to not be exposed, which would require them to be covered in a layer of conductive material that is grounded (or have significant capacitance)

Simply put, a faraday cage

 

It's probably a huge cost to prevent something that's not much of an issue

[Chris Pratt]

33 minutes ago, whm1974 said:

I'm thinking of getting a humidifier as a preventive measure

Too much humidity can be an issue for PC components as well, particularly if you end up with condensation. I wouldn't add a humidifier as a "protective" measure.

 

It's really not that hard. It takes quite a lot to damage modern components. As long as you do something like touch a metal case or something before touching the part, you won't have any issues. If you're really concerned, all you need is an ESD bracelet connected to ground. Nothing else is necessary.

[whm1974]

4 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

The general advice is to avoid working on any surface that may induce static electric, and I believe cotton cloth may be one of them?

Use rubber table mats or something, or even the box the GPU/electronics comes in

 

Nah, just don't be stupid is the general rule

Accidents do happen from time to time though, can't really help with that

Well I guess I'll buy one of those then.

[Bitter]

I've been working with PC components for...20 years or more now since I was a teenager. I've always just made sure I wasn't wearing something like wool socks on carpet and I ground myself to a PC chassis or electrical socket bolt before working and after I leave and come back to the table I'm working at. Ideally a bracelet connected to ground should be used but I feel that periodic draining through touching ground if you're stationary and grounding after you've moved around is probably sufficient for all but the most sensitive electronics.

[whm1974]

56 minutes ago, Bitter said:

I've been working with PC components for...20 years or more now since I was a teenager. I've always just made sure I wasn't wearing something like wool socks on carpet and I ground myself to a PC chassis or electrical socket bolt before working and after I leave and come back to the table I'm working at. Ideally a bracelet connected to ground should be used but I feel that periodic draining through touching ground if you're stationary and grounding after you've moved around is probably sufficient for all but the most sensitive electronics.

The towel was mostly to avoid losing small screws that are impossible to replace. The Replacement Fans Producer should provide s small bag of those in case any are lost.

 

But yes, I haven't killed any part or device with being careless.

[Bitter]

4 minutes ago, whm1974 said:

The towel was mostly to avoid losing small screws that are impossible to replace. The Replacement Fans Producer should provide s small bag of those in case any are lost.

I use small bowls or trays or magnets to hold onto small parts. Magnetic bowls are awesome of this or buy a divided tray and glue a small magnet to the bottom of each section.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Z37S6G/

https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Neodymium-Magnets-Stronger-Earth/dp/B07PWP9DWC/

You can get the magnets cheaper from eBay vendors and glue them yourself. This way it's a divided tray for tracking what went where AND if you bump it or even knock it over the small parts should stay in place.

 

https://www.amazon.com/EhomeA2Z-Magnetic-Garage-Construction-Wrenches/dp/B07956S6K6/

Or get a set like this, I use ones just like those to hold onto case screws while I'm working so I don't spill them all over.

[whm1974]

41 minutes ago, Bitter said:

I use small bowls or trays or magnets to hold onto small parts. Magnetic bowls are awesome of this or buy a divided tray and glue a small magnet to the bottom of each section.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Z37S6G/

https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Neodymium-Magnets-Stronger-Earth/dp/B07PWP9DWC/

You can get the magnets cheaper from eBay vendors and glue them yourself. This way it's a divided tray for tracking what went where AND if you bump it or even knock it over the small parts should stay in place.

 

https://www.amazon.com/EhomeA2Z-Magnetic-Garage-Construction-Wrenches/dp/B07956S6K6/

Or get a set like this, I use ones just like those to hold onto case screws while I'm working so I don't spill them all over.

Thanks. I wasn't aware they even had those.