[Elecraft] Qs about esd and BNC connectors

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

George, N4YM asked:
Q:  Once parts are installed, (ICs, etc.) is it neccessary to use a wrist
strap?? 
Q:  Is the solderless BNC (Radio Shack)  ok??  There are 2 types at RS: 
a screw in and a clamp type.

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When you handle unplugged boards, use EDS protection. Just touching an
unpainted ground is FB, but a wrist strap is even better because you won't
forget. If you have a grounded anti-static pad, use it to set the boards on.


The problem is that some of the inputs to I.C.'s such as the master control
unit have a very, very high impedance -- in the range of many, many megohms.
Those inputs can only handle a few volts without damage. At that high an
impedance, even small static charge on your hands can destroy the chip, or
at least damage some of the solid state "gates" inside causing a partial
failure and intermittent operation. When the chip is all hooked up, the
surrounding circuitry protects it by providing a constant path to ground
that bleeds off all but the biggest static charges. But once you unplug the
boards, the inputs to the sensitive chips that are opened are almost as
vulnerable as if you were handling the chip itself. 

I don't know the RS bnc's but I'm sure others will help there.

Ron AC7AC