[Elecraft] Static mat repair?

[Gary Hvizdak]

On Wednesday March 15th 2006 Ian wrote ...

    I built my K2 and many digital designs and circuits over the years, many
of my own design.  I never used static precautions and have never had a
component failure.

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All,

    Many factors contribute to the risk of ESD damage, including:
o   Your work area, is your floor carpeted, wood, concrete, etc.?
o   Even your chair, is it covered with a synthetic material?
o   The relative humidity.
o   Clothing - cotton fabrics are best for minimizing static build-up.
o   The sensitivity of the devices you are working with.

    World-wide ESD damage costs the electronics industry roughly 6.5 percent
of revenues, which comes out to more than 84 billion dollars annually!

    See http://www.desco.com/eearticle_files/enhancingprofits.htm for lots
more on this subject.  (Below is just a tiny portion of the information you
will find on that page.)

73,
Gary, KI4GGX

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    Independent consultants have found that ESD costs the average electronic
manufacturer 4 to 8 percent of total annual corporate revenues, depending on
product designs and device sensitivity.

    Internal studies in telecommunication and other electronic firms have
revealed losses equal to, or in excess of, 10 percent of annual revenues.

    At an estimated average impact of 6.5 percent of revenues, this means
the international electronics industry is losing in excess of $84 billion
(USD) every year based on production data from 1997 through 2001.