Airsoft Canada - View Single Post - PTW repairmen: Be aware of electrostatic discharge (ESD)

MadMax · February 6th, 2008, 16:50

I note that there is almost no discussion regarding ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) precautions amongst PTW repairmen.

The rubber gloves SystemA supplies with SCKs and Version Up kits are not effective ESD protection. ESD damage is a new problem for AEG mechanics. Up until now, our analogue TM AEGs have been impervious to ESD damage, but SystemA's use of microprocessors brings new issues for us to deal with.

Fortunately these issues are not new to the electronics industry. There are lots of established ways to handle ES buildup. In the eighties, Apple released this video describing ESD:

YouTube - The Shocking Truth

ESD protection is required for the safe handling of electronics components that contain semiconductors (transistors, ICs, etc). Very high voltages can collect on assembly technicians clothes when they move around especially if they wear certain combinations of clothing materials. For example, wearing a cotton t-shirt under a polyester sweater can develop very high static voltages. This phenomenon can be illustrated when one takes off a polyester sweater which can generate sparks which jump between the sweater and the undershirt or between a finger and a grounded device like a computer case.

These sparks reach a very high voltage (exceeding 2,000v!) which can destroy semiconductor components so measures must be taken to safely handle semiconductor assemblies. Small buildups reaching 50v are unnoticable, but they can still cook fine circuit paths in integrated circuits.

Semiconductor components should be stored and shipped in ESD protective bins and packaging:

ESD bins for storage on assembly line
http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../ESD_Bins.html

ESD bags for shipping
http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../ESD_Bags.html

To prevent ESD damage during assembly or repair of your PTWs, your technician must have an ESD grounding station. ESD stations dissapate electrostatic buildups by physically connecting workers and work tables to earth ground. This can be accomplished by wearing grounded ESD wristbands or heel straps.

Heel strap grounding worker to grounded floor surface (special carpet or floor mat that is slightly conductive and grounded)
http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU...Grounders.html
http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../786-0203.html

Wrist strap connecting wrist to grounded work mat (easier solution to implement)
http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU...ords/2209.html
http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../RM08-244.html

*easy measure for PTW repairmen to implement*
For those who do not have purpose built ESD protection, I suggest the following:

Connect alligator clips to one end of two 4' lowish gauge flexible wires (stranded 18GA or less). Bare the unclipped ends and screw them down to something that's grounded (say a handy computer case).

Clip one to your watch strap so the clip is touching your wrist. Touch the other to your PTW before you begin disassembling it. Try to hit some place in the mag well where there's a spot where your paint has worn off as you want to hit bare metal instead of a chunk of insulative coating.

February 6th, 2008, 16:50	#1
MadMax Delierious Designer of Dastardly Detonations Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: in the dark recesses of some metal chip filled machine shop	PTW repairmen: Be aware of electrostatic discharge (ESD) I note that there is almost no discussion regarding ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) precautions amongst PTW repairmen. The rubber gloves SystemA supplies with SCKs and Version Up kits are not effective ESD protection. ESD damage is a new problem for AEG mechanics. Up until now, our analogue TM AEGs have been impervious to ESD damage, but SystemA's use of microprocessors brings new issues for us to deal with. Fortunately these issues are not new to the electronics industry. There are lots of established ways to handle ES buildup. In the eighties, Apple released this video describing ESD: YouTube - The Shocking Truth ESD protection is required for the safe handling of electronics components that contain semiconductors (transistors, ICs, etc). Very high voltages can collect on assembly technicians clothes when they move around especially if they wear certain combinations of clothing materials. For example, wearing a cotton t-shirt under a polyester sweater can develop very high static voltages. This phenomenon can be illustrated when one takes off a polyester sweater which can generate sparks which jump between the sweater and the undershirt or between a finger and a grounded device like a computer case. These sparks reach a very high voltage (exceeding 2,000v!) which can destroy semiconductor components so measures must be taken to safely handle semiconductor assemblies. Small buildups reaching 50v are unnoticable, but they can still cook fine circuit paths in integrated circuits. Semiconductor components should be stored and shipped in ESD protective bins and packaging: ESD bins for storage on assembly line http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../ESD_Bins.html ESD bags for shipping http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../ESD_Bags.html To prevent ESD damage during assembly or repair of your PTWs, your technician must have an ESD grounding station. ESD stations dissapate electrostatic buildups by physically connecting workers and work tables to earth ground. This can be accomplished by wearing grounded ESD wristbands or heel straps. Heel strap grounding worker to grounded floor surface (special carpet or floor mat that is slightly conductive and grounded) http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU...Grounders.html http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../786-0203.html Wrist strap connecting wrist to grounded work mat (easier solution to implement) http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU...ords/2209.html http://www.correctproducts.com/PRODU.../RM08-244.html easy measure for PTW repairmen to implement For those who do not have purpose built ESD protection, I suggest the following: Connect alligator clips to one end of two 4' lowish gauge flexible wires (stranded 18GA or less). Bare the unclipped ends and screw them down to something that's grounded (say a handy computer case). Clip one to your watch strap so the clip is touching your wrist. Touch the other to your PTW before you begin disassembling it. Try to hit some place in the mag well where there's a spot where your paint has worn off as you want to hit bare metal instead of a chunk of insulative coating. __________________ Want nearly free GBB gas? Last edited by MadMax; February 8th, 2008 at 11:56..