Does ESD really happen?

[For Which It Stands]

Last year I took a class in high school called Computer Engineering Technology I. One of the first things we went over in that class was Electro-static discharge, but my brother, who at the time worked at a computer repair shop, said it doesn't happen. So is this really true?

[Arty]

Last year I took a class in high school called Computer Engineering Technology I. One of the first things we went over in that class was Electro-static discharge, but my brother, who at the time worked at a computer repair shop, said it doesn't happen. So is this really true?

It happens but usually it is so little you wont notice.

 

i used to have a problem with my light switch. i would walk into my room flick the switch and it would shock me then my pc would wake up from sleep.

#Armenian hair problems 

[Oshino Shinobu]

It happens. A lot of the time it won't damage anything, but it can. 

[minibois]

There will be people who said it never happens and people who say it does.

It happens, I have read the stories. How big is the chance? Not sure. There will always be people saying they are working on PC's 24/7 in their wool socks on a carpet saying it never happens,

[Godlygamer23]

ESD does happen. Static electricity naturally builds up on our bodies when we move around on say carpet for example. In fact, the voltage generated can be as high as 25,000V. Some areas are affected by ESD more than others, but sometimes you don't really feel the shock from static electricity because the voltage is too low to be felt by humans.

[Zefues]

It happens. 

[Baze_Ezra]

It can happen, but depends upon circumstance. Basically some things you can do may build an electrostatic charge, some will discharge it.

Working on conductors (like computer components) will generally result in a discharge. If the charge is high enough, it can be significant and damage things / cause you pain.

 

If you have ever touched a railing somewhere and felt a kind of spark - that is ESD.

[ZetZet]

Depends on the environment, in humid places with no carpets it's pretty rare.

 

ESD is extremely annoying if you live somewhere cold in the winter and you need constant heating, then the air dries out and you get zapped 24/7, really annoying  :lol:

[amp88]

Could make an interesting episode for LTT - how far do you have to go to actually damage hardware so that it either won't work at all, or won't run properly as a result of ESD. Have some RAM that's been tested to be fine with Memtest then see what it takes for it to start producing errors or even refusing to POST.

[For Which It Stands]

Could make an interesting episode for LTT - how far do you have to go to actually damage hardware so that it either won't work at all, or won't run properly as a result of ESD. Have some RAM that's been tested to be fine with Memtest then see what it takes for it to start producing errors or even refusing to POST.

 

They should totally do that, especially with all the inventory they have

[Ceatra]

ESD does happen. Static electricity naturally builds up on our bodies when we move around on say carpet for example. In fact, the voltage generated can be as high as 25,000V. Some areas are affected by ESD more than others, but sometimes you don't really feel the shock from static electricity because the voltage is too low to be felt by humans.

What's the averge that a normal Human can feel?

[Godlygamer23]

What's the averge that a normal Human can feel?

I actually have no clue what the lowest amount is we can detect.

[79 Potatoes]

Do it in a tent with windy weather.

[LogicalDrm]

Is ESD a myth? Thats your question, right? No, it isn't. Anyone who claim ESD is myth, is wrong.

 

When it will happen and is it really such big danger to electronics, thats the bigger question. When you build PC, you will have one point where components have sensitive parts exposed. This would be when installing CPU to mobo socket. ESD there could break both pieces. After that pretty much every piece is somewhat protected. But you still shouldn't rub bare PCB to you pants, shirt, mousepad or cat.

 

ESD / Static shock is the little thing that keeps balloons to wall after you rub them on hair or shirt. And makes hair raise with it. I usually get it by petting a cat. When I went to bowling, I got that frequently from ball returning machines.

[Shin-Gouki]

It does happen, but most modern components can handle it where as back when I was first starting out it was more of an issue. That said you should still take precautions because you never know....

[You_are_a_cunt]

It happens, but it's tied to a few factors.

 

I've always had at least a grounded metallic bar attached to my desk that acts as both a discharge spot and a footrest. When I work I usually use an ankle strap, though that's not generally needed. touching a plugged in PSU (one that isn't running, mind you!) is enough

[PC Projects]

Have you ever rubbed a baloon on your hair and attached it to the wall? Have you ever gotten a shock? Yes. Even if you haven't, ESD is real. Be weary and use a bracelet, maybe even an ESD safe mat. Listen to what a professional institution says, not what some guy says. Sure, I'm also some guy, but I actually go on evidence and reasoning, not the sort of bro science your friend's using. Not to cause offense, but this is just a bqd thing for him to do.

[EarthboundHero]

This video is decent enough on explaining it.

[JerkyMcDilerino]

Wait, if i get shock by touching my metal bar stand on my chair or door knob, do i have to worry about that if i'm planning to build my next rig? I use anti static wrist wrap on my first PC build lol.

[cragger89]

It is a real thing.

[GoldSrc]

You could blow a hole in the insulator layer mosfet transistors have, so yeah, it's a thing.

https://youtu.be/qUeK7pHe0rI?t=19m12s

 

While most of the time you will not damage them, you could reduce their lifespan.

[IndaLight]

Yes but it is rare for it to actually do damage.