How does ESD feel?

[AlphaIVT]

Electro Static Discharge. Would you know if it occured?

 

[etech]

Probably not, the shock can be imperceptable but still do damage.

The other thing to remember is that the damage is not always immediately apparent. It can take time to show up. With the cold weather outside and the dry air in most houses this is the time to be extra careful in preventing damage to your computer gear.

Wear a wriststap if you have one. Always touch a metal part of the computer to ground yourself before touching anything else, if you don't have a strap. Using some anti-static spray on your shoes can help. Save those anti-static bags your parts came in. Use a wire with two alligator clips, clip one to the bag and one to your case, then lay your parts on the bags.

 

[Insomnium]

You'll feel a slight shock when you come in contact with metal and computer chips. If you dont feel it, you'll hear a sorta-clicking sound, assuming you touched something metal.

If you don't have a wrist strap, touching a metal part of the case every couple of minutes is the next best thing.

 

[Noriaki]

<< You'll feel a slight shock when you come in contact with metal and computer chips. If you dont feel it, you'll hear a sorta-clicking sound. >>

This is true, but you have to have a fair bit of static built up before you can feel/hear it, a smaller ESD than you can hear/feel can damage computer components.

 

[jamarno]

You can discharge 3,000 volts and not always feel, see, or hear it. So either use an anti-static wrist strap or at least work barefoot.

 

[Nelmster]

According to my training, people feel ESD at 2000-3000 volts. Some computer components can evidently be jacked up with only TWENTY volts!

 

[Rigoletto]

The good news is that so long as you observe good practice every time, you can get away with fiddling for thousands of times. Easy, just careful.