[Elecraft] ESD Risk vs Relative Humidity

[d.cutter at ntlworld.com]

In some manufacturing you cannot get through the security doors into the assembly area unless your boots and body strap pass the ESD test at the entry point.  

David
G3UNA
> 
> From: "Mike Short" <mike.short at mchsi.com>
> Date: 2006/12/20 Wed PM 12:24:56 GMT
> To: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] ESD Risk vs Relative Humidity
> 
> ESD damage does not always show up immediately. ESD can "stunt" the life of
> components.
> Instead of lasting 5 or 10 years, you may only get a few years out of them. 
> I have had a lot of training in the military on ESD, and they spend big
> bucks on equipment
> And training. The avionics building I worked in in Germany had ESD tile on
> the floors, as well as grounded benches, mats
> And straps, etc. 
> 
> Mike
> AI4NS
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wyn Hughes
> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 7:20 AM
> To: Mike Harris; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ESD Risk vs Relative Humidity
> 
> Mike and Don,
> 
> Thanks for your input. I suspect that ESD damage occurs more often than one
> realises.  Don's report confirms. I read reports that quite a few of the
> NATO IC-781s went down in the last gulf conflict for no apparent reason,
> other than microprocessor failure suspected due to the extreme low humidity.
> I have experienced some strange and otherwise wholly inexplicable PC
> failures due to early working without a wrist strap in the past. For safety
> sake I will stick with the new mat amd its combined wrist strap. Then at
> least I will eliminate one possibility from my shopping list of problem
> causes.
> 
> Best 73
> Wyn, VR2AX
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Harris" <mike.harris at horizon.co.fk>
> To: "Wyn Hughes" <vr2ax at attglobal.net>; <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 5:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ESD Risk vs Relative Humidity
> 
> 
> > G'day,
> >
> > <snip>
> > Today in Hong Kong we have relative humidity (RH) of 55% (temp a
> > 'freezing' 16 C), compared to our norm of 90 - 100% RH and temp 30 C+
> > <snip>
> >
> > I assume the 16C was outside not inside.
> >
> > <snip
> > These past two days my daughter and xyl have mentioned several 'static
> > shocks' when they play with our cats, all 6 of them.
> >
> > I remember my school kid days of cats tail static generators, but there's
> > a serious question behind this. Under what conditions of RH do most
> > builders of Elecraft rigs operate?
> > <snip>
> >
> > RH in the house is of the order 40-60% temp 20-22C most of the time.  No
> > cats, no ESD countermeasures besides touching an earthed object before
> > picking up sensitive devices.  Not killed one yet.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Mike VP8NO
> >
> >
> 
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