If you are planning to tinker around with your computer's internal components, be wary of circuit damage due to electrostatic discharge or ESD. ESD is a short burst of electrical current that can be precipitated when you touch sensitive computer components such as RAM modules, microprocessors, sound cards and video cards. This electrical jolt may be harmless for you, but it is devastating for computer chips and circuits. Here are some tips that will help you avoid ESD when working on your computer.
* Turn Off Your Computer Before Working
Never mess with internal computer components while your PC is still up and running. Turn off your computer properly and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet as an extra precaution. After you turn off your computer, wait a few minutes before beginning any repairs or clean ups. Computer capacitors can retain electrical charges for a short period after you turn off your PC. Give these components some time to release these charges before you start working.
* Ground Yourself
You can easily do this by getting an antistatic wrist strap from a computer hardware shop. This is a bracelet made of fabric that is joined to a stainless steel plate. The strap is connected to the ground via a cable.
If you cannot get your hands on an antistatic wrist strap, you can discharge static electricity by touching a grounded object such as a metal surface. As you work along, frequently touch a grounded object so you can diffuse any buildup of static electricity.
* Minimize Contact with Components
ESD is usually caused by friction. You can avoid ESD by minimizing contact with computer circuits and chips. Touch computer components as little as possible. In addition, avoid touching the surfaces of wide parts especially the motherboard and the various PC cards. Hold these sensitive components by the edges instead.
Keep these handy tips in mind when working on your computer so you can avoid repair blunders and irreparable damages caused by ESD.
| Article written by Jeffrey Frasco. Visit Computer Knowledge For You for a step-by-step tutorial on how to build your own computer. |
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