Static

[Jackpilot]

I have to bring back some computers in a carpeted room.
Last year in the same room I fried a Hagstrom board with static (that horrible Tic at the end of my finger!!)

Besides removing the carpet or grounding myself is there a way to prevent this ?

[JBaymore]

Install a huimidifier in the room. High humidity keeps the static charge down. BUT.... it creates its own set of potential issues.

best,

................john

[Rodney]

Make Your Own Anti-Static Spray

Take an empty spray bottle (such as a window cleaner bottle) and pour in a small amount of fabric conditioner. Fill the bottle with water. The mixture should be about 30:1. Spray the car seats (furniture and/or carpets) and allow to dry. Reapply as necessary.

[warvet]

OR KEEP YOUR DAMN FINGERS OFF THE HAGSTROM BOARD!!! LOL

Tim

[fweinrebe]

1. Take off your shoes.
2. Look for a metal item somewhere near and touch it to release the static before touching the the board.
3. Get a wrist strap which is grounded. The strap has a clip so you can just snap it on /off without removing the strap if you move a lot. These straps are not expensive. I learned that one from maintaining a Frasca 142 which has these installed by the factory.

[Mr. Midnight]

Unfortunately even with all the remedies given to you working on carpet is a sure way to generate static, I to had this problem in a carpeted room, even when I was just in the cockpit every now and then I would get shocked.

Other than you taken out the carpet there is no way even with a humidifier will you not stop it, a lot or some you will still get it.

What I did to absolutely stop it was to attach a long wire to a outlet screw , the ones that holds the faceplate on a metal box inside( because it is grounded), or attach it to any thing in the room that is grounded, even the case of a computer that you know is ground.

Then run the wire under your carpet or place it where you cannot see the length of it, and if you fly all the time run it close to your chair or work place and when you begin to work just attach it to yourself, arm or lower leg.

That has worked absolutely well for me.

In the summer time I was fine but when it started getting cooler look out.

Humidifiers work great but they do not cut down all of the static, especially if you decide to make some coffee and you have your socks on and forget that you were charging yourself.

what i did later on was remove the capeting and put in wood flooring:)

Hope this helps…………..Robert

[fweinrebe]

What I did to absolutely stop it was to attach a long wire to a outlet screw , the ones that holds the faceplate on a metal box inside( because it is grounded), or attach it to any thing in the room that is grounded, even the case of a computer that you know is ground.

Then run the wire under your carpet or place it where you cannot see the length of it, and if you fly all the time run it close to your chair or work place and when you begin to work just attach it to yourself, arm or lower leg.


Sounds like a great idea.

Here is an image of the Anti-Static Wrist Band I was refering to earlier. Could use it in addition to the idea above by Mr. Midnight.

http://www.learningservicesus.com/shop/images/th_91105.gif

[Rodney]

If you can get your hands on a 6"x6" piece of flat copper, mount it to the wall, table, etc and run the ground wire to it. Touch it as you enter the room and most definatley before you touch anything. We used this method in the USAF and it worked well. An open computer case that is plugged in works too. Also, did you know that paper is a great static generator? Don't place your items on it. I learned that one the hard way.

[Jackpilot]

Thanks guys...think I will remove the carpet for a wooden floor..another consequence of simbuilding...and use the wrist band in the meantime.

[Efe Cem Elci]

If you're set on removing the carpet (and feel it is a sacrifice) you could always look into anti-static carpeting as a solution. Was going to suggest it earlier but I assumed you were looking for a solution in the current setup as opposed to one that involved some alterations and additional spending.

[AndyT]

What is under the carpet? All my rooms have carpet and I never have static problems. Keeping the humidity as close to 70% as possible, taking off your socks, using an anti-static spray and wristband. All this should take care of it.

[Michael Carter]

They don't have static in Hawaii. :lol:

Seriously though, these posts may have saved me from making a devastating mistake. I was going to use an indoor/outdoor grey carpeting for the area of the shell. The sort you find in stereo stores and auto parts stores for covering speaker boxes and trunk interiors.

I'll have to re-think that idea. Maybe spend a few dollars more on the anti-static stuff. I wanted to use aluminum and make it look right, but it's expensive...and cold in the winter.

[Jackpilot]

It is a small room where I do my fine tuning on the sim computers.
Actually removing that carpet is a blessing in disguise.
But here in Canada where we tend to overheat indoors in Winter, Static remains a big hazard for our PC boards and circuits.
After the Hagstrom hamburger I used to systematically touch a metal table beforehand, and it worked, so I will refine the idea as explained in your answers.

And Mike, what about aluminum on plywood ($ but the surface is not huge) or that kind of polished and textured metal sheets...
Just ideas , I'm not there yet.
Jack