[Elecraft] "Metal muffin baking tins are good" -- was " K3 ESD"

[Ian White GM3SEK]

David Gilbert wrote:
>
>That's no guarantee of anything.  It doesn't address the issue of 
>instantaneous static dissipation from the component to the muffin tin 
>itself (which has capacity to its surroundings and acts as it's own 
>charge sink).

Muffin tins are no problem if they are treated in exactly the same way 
as that other large lump of metal - the K3.

Ideally, place both the K3 and any metal containers on the anti-static 
mat to equalize potentials with the rest of the setup (including your 
own body) and to provide a slow, gentle discharge path.

As an absolute minimum, bond everything together (including yourself) 
using jumper wires with 1Mohm series resistors. Do this FIRST and you'll 
be in good shape for ESD protection in any situation (up to and 
including a flying magic carpet made of nylon :-)

As others have said, "green wire grounding" is a separate issue. You 
should do that as well, but that is strictly for your own safety - it is 
NOT part of your ESD precautions. Don't think about "grounding" until 
you have FIRST bonded everything together through series resistors.



-- 

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek