[Elecraft] Assembly mat

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Mike wrote:
 Non-conductive material will not hold or generate any electrical charge.
Therefore, it is desireable to use this material when storing or
transporting devices that can be damaged by Electro Static Discharge (ESD).

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Try rubbing a good non-conductive material (i.e. an insulator) such as a
glass or rubber rod over another insulator such as cloth or fur and notice
the sparks fly when they are subsequently brought close together again or
near a grounded object! 

Insulators prevent the *movement* of charges from one place to another
through them. Because of that, insulators can develop huge charges on their
surfaces by rubbing. The rubbing action dislodges electrons from the surface
of one leaving them stuck on the surface of the other. Since the object does
not conduct, the charge can't move.  The end result is a mob of atoms
looking for a way to regain "balance" by acquiring or dumping off electrons
at the first opportunity when they come in direct contact with a conductor.
That's a static charge.

If the charge comes in contact with a modern solid state device, either
directly or through another conductor, the end result is usually a destroyed
device. 

Ron AC7AC