[Elecraft] K3 ESD

[John Ragle]

Hello, Kjeld...

     I have done lots of work with electrostatic-sensitive components 
for a number of years, and have never had anything wrt ESD other than a 
wrist-strap (and its IMPORTANT series resistor). I rarely use the 
wrist-strap, but instead try to use common sense wrt grounding... I use 
a grounded soldering station, which in your case of the K3+subreceiver 
is irrelevant, and am careful to discharge myself on one or more 
grounded devices AFTER seating myself to work on the electronics. I 
habitually to wear cotton or wool clothing, not plastic (synthetic) cloth.

     Even if the devices on which you "ground" yourself are not 
physically grounded, if they are large enough their capacitance will 
accept enough charge to equalize potential differences in the 
surroundings and render you non-dangerous wrt ESD. (After all, a 
"ground" is really a connection to a rather large conducting sphere 
called "the earth.") In the USA most devices such as computers, some 
lamps, etc. have a 3rd wire connection to ground and make good discharge 
devices.

     One simply wants to minimize the potential difference between you, 
your work object, your soldering iron, and your coffee cup. Great 
anxiety is not necessary.

John Ragle -- W1ZI

=====

On 12/17/2010 4:18 AM, Kjeld Holm wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> I am about to install my subreceiver  and would like to finish before the
> weekend but I have no ESD work place. How can I best protect the parts? Or
> do I have to wait until I can get the needed ESD equipment?
>
> OZ1CCM, Kjeld
>
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