[Elecraft] ESD prevention

[michael taylor]

On 2/15/07, RC <whackybob at bayou.com> wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I am slightly confused! When using ESD protective
> measures you should use:
> 1) a wrist strap connected to
> 2) an anti-static mat.
> 3)You should build/work on the anti-static mat to be
> certain that all components (and you)are at the same
> electrical potential there by minimizing any ESD damage.
> 4)should you connect the anti-static mat to the carpet
> with a long clip lead?
> 5)or house electrical ground?

While I don't know if the KX1 is more sensitive to electrostatic
damage, as far as I do know your anti-static wrist strap and/or mat
should be tied to earth or AC mains ground via a 1-Megaohm or higher
resistor (to prevent a shock risk). Some wrist straps and mats have a
resistor built into the cable for this purpose. You can check with
your DMM / VOM.

I believe this connection via the resistor essentially "drains" the
static voltage to ground.

-Michael Taylor, VE3TIX