Dangers of Static Electricity to Your Computer
Electrostatic Discharge Can Kill Your Computer
This is one of the first things most technicians learn in certification training, and if you regularly work on the inside of your computer, understanding the damage that little shock can cause is critical. But even if you're only a casual computer user, it's important to know why you probably should not shuffle across the carpet and grab your friend's new motherboard.
Computers translate data and instructions into pulses of electricity. Normally, those minute pulses are tightly regulated, but when a component is zapped with electrostatic discharge (ESD), it is very jarring for the circuit board and can destabilize or destroy it. But while you normally feel shocks over 2,000 volts, just 30 volts can kill a delicate circuit board.
While minimal ESD can be fatal to a component, minimal maintenance can protect your system. You're probably familiar with antistatic bags; most new adapter cards come in small silver bags that protect them from electrical damage. Saving those bags and storing spare parts in them will guard components from an untimely end.
But what about when you need to use those parts, or work inside the computer? A basic tool for PC technicians is the ESD wrist strap. Clipped to a metal part of the computer's case, the bracelet drains away static buildup and keeps you at the same charge as your computer, so you don't shock it and it doesn't shock you. These are usually around $10 and worth the cost if you consider that replacing even a cheap motherboard can cost five times that.
Rubber mats to set the computer on are doubly useful; not only do they help prevent static buildup, but they also protect your working surface from scratches.
Some basic procedures can do as much to stop ESD as these devices though - just wear rubber soled shoes, avoid carpeting, and touch the computer's metal case frequently while you work on it.
Don't do worse to your system than a thousand hackers ever could; a few simple steps can save your computer from the danger of static shock.
Published by Stephen Skipp
Stephen Skipp's writing has appeared in a number of print and online sources, including the Lancaster New Era, and the Lake Superior Voice, the Lancaster Live Wire student newspaper, and the Voices student... View profile
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- Static will cause more harm to your PC than any hacker
- An antistatic wrist strap is crucial when working inside your computer
- Wearing rubber-soled shoes can impede static buildup
20 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting and true, in our lab it caused shorts to occur when plugging in external USB storage devices - resulting in subsequent hardware damage and loss of data! However, I would like to note that I have heard (I know, yucky anecdote) and read a little about a class of viruses that operate at the driver interface level and try and mess with things like sending requests for data directly outside of a head boundary, i.e. force the head beyond it's normal range, and I want to say that there were some actual reports of permanent drive failure, and there's a new class of viruses that copy recovery data into BIOS ROM chip, NASTY... However, virus' are a skin deep threat for probably [0.999,1) of the time, and static is a killer all too often! Thank you for taking the time to write this :o)
It is true!! I have just killed my husbands expensive laptop, just by kissing the top of his head whilst he was putting a bid on Ebay - to buy extra memory for the computer!! The laptop died immediately! Watch it everyone, especially if you are in a cold climate. We are in Sweden and the temperature outside is -17C. Will I live or will I die?!
I just killed a Samsung 1TB drive with a static discharge, even though it was inside a metal enclosure (external case)...so the threat is real sheeple..I just lost 1TB of stuff.
soled shoes, avoid carpeting, and touch the computer's metal case frequently while you work on it. Rubber soled shoes actually generate more static. The rest of the comments posted are just a waste of everyone's time - get a life.
First off the article is right on - uncontrolled static discharges cause a multitude of computer related glitches. Don't believe it? Try setting up a vandegraf generator in another room maybe 50 feet away from your computer. In most case is shuts the computer down, in some cases it locks it up. Ever wonder why EVERY major manufacturer of computers implements static control procedures. It's because static discharges weaken or destroys the components. Compromised products COST THEM MONEY. Those that say the haven't ever seen a PC damaged by static are just showing their ignorance. The gateways inside chips are smaller now - actually easier to fry than ever.Unfortunately the article recommends placing the computers on a rubber mat to work on them. A rubber mat will exasperate the problem unless it is a CONDUCTIVE rubber mat that is grounded. The mobile version of this article states the following: Some basic procedures can do as much to stop ESD as these devices though - just wear rubber
Right I read this a lot.. But who has actually killed any part in their computer by shocking it? I mean come on.. I think computer parts can withstand much more nowaday..
yes spiffing!
Hello Darling's!
Well Well Well! This is such a informative site! It's absolutly amazing! I'm glad I found it!!! I never thought Physics could thrill me so much!!
It makes me feel so happy to know that other people share my passion for Physics! ;)
All of those people who are too thick to understand any of it!
Hot diggedy Damn!!!!
Speak soon.
PhysicsKnowItAllUNITE!
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