ESD mat

[unixdude]

Hi, all.

 

I think that I should probably start using an ESD mat for my repairs.  I don't know anything about this, but it looks like I should ground myself to the mat, and should ground the mat to the ground terminal in an electrical box.  Is this correct?  Also, will any ESD mat do, or do I really need to spend $50+ on one?  I am interested in a soldering and ESD mat, and I find them at all price points on Amazon.  My guess is that I don't want the $15 ones (they appear to be soldering mats and not ESD mats), but I probably don't need to spend $150 on one either.

 

Thanks for any tips/guidance.

 

I searched the forums before posting, and didn't really find anything applicable.  I wasn't sure which forum this belonged in; since I mostly work on 8-bit computers, I chose to put it here.

[gilsaluki]

Try using a wrist strap-type grounding device?  (it clips to ground)

[Mclaneinc]

Yup, just get a wrist grounder as gilsaluki says, cheap and cheerful, attach it to your radiators and you are all set...No fancy mat needed..As long as you are connected to Ground then no stat buildup..

[unixdude]

Awesome, thanks. I'll get a cheapy mat and a grounding wrist strap, and be off to the races. Note my moniker -- I'm all about software... new at hardware.

[Mclaneinc]

No worries, we all are new at something at some point...

[TGB1718]

and don't wear silk cami knickers either :))))

[unixdude]

There's no danger of that! lol

[+DrVenkman]

I haven't used an ESD mat or even a wristband since I built my last from-scratch PC in 2001. YMMV. 

[Colleton]

2 hours ago, DrVenkman said:

I haven't used an ESD mat or even a wristband since I built my last from-scratch PC in 2001. YMMV. 

I've been using one for the tinkering I'm doing.  Don't think I really need it, but it's cheap peace of mind.

[TheNameOfTheGame]

Sure, you can ground yourself, but many other things can be static generators in the typical environment.  A mat is there to protect sensitive parts when putting assemblies or chips down on the work surface or reworking components.

 

I used to work in telecommunications equipment repair and believe me, we used ESD mats in addition to personal grounding straps (wrist or foot based).

 

A good ESD meter can also be helpful for your work space.

 

Is it overkill to put in an ESD mat or have a meter nearby?  Maybe, but it is a one-time investment and my personal experience is that is worth it.

 

I like Desco products.  The make a good, quality ESD mat.

[Rybags]

Supposedly the old NMOS is less prone to static damage then newer CMOS fab chips.

You'd probably be fine just using a wire jumper with alligator clips to connect the ground plane on what you're working on to a ground nearby such as PC case, kitchen sink or (possibly) metal window frame.

[TGB1718]

Been in electronic/computer industry all my life and rarely ever used wrist straps and never an ESD mat and

to my knowledge never killed anything.

 

I just remember my instructor saying "Just Keep Your Bloody Fingers off the Pins", seems good advice and it works

[bfollowell]

15 hours ago, DrVenkman said:

I haven't used an ESD mat or even a wristband since I built my last from-scratch PC in 2001. YMMV. 

 

I agree. I think the dangers of ESD are way over-rated. I may blow something up tomorrow, but I've been soldering and doing repair work and building my own PCs for the past 30 years, and I've never damaged anything. I haven't worn a static strap since my college days and I graduated in 1989. I'm not trying to sway anyone from getting one. I just don't feel the need is as great as many, including my old college professors, seem to imply.

[_The Doctor__]

depends on where you live, humidity, device, materials used in your clothing rug, work areas.  I know ESD has made many a project wonky over the years... I also realize we don't have static generators all over the place like we once had. Remember those display devices of old?  With where I live and the materials I am around, I've zapped plenty of everyday items to their death... so I wouldn't think of touching my Atari without proper ESD mitigation in place. I discharge myself before normal use on bad static days...  Lately I installed a humidifier in the room as 35%-40% seems to calm the storm and my nasal passages thank me too. Like all things, it depends on your own location and setting, ymmv.  I use a wrist strap and a mat when tinkering. Back in the day we had discharge boxes connected to display screens until they started building that in along with radiation protections.

might I add if I went to work BITD and didn't use all of the precautions and strap in... I would have been fired on the spot, but that was because of the area I worked in and what was at stake.

 

If you have ever been zapped or have zapped someone in your work area, if you here static crackling/cackling when put on or take off articles of clothing... well you might want to take ESD precautions seriously. If such a thing has never happened... well you probably don't have any issues.

[unixdude]

Thanks for the comments, all.

 

I want a soldering mat anyway, so I figure I'll get one of those and an ESD wrist strap.