This is an archived, read-only copy of the United-TI subforum , including posts and topic from May 2003 to April 2012. If you would like to discuss any of the topics in this forum, you can visit Cemetech's
Technology & Calculator Open Topic subforum. Some of these topics may also be directly-linked to active Cemetech topics. If you are a Cemetech member with a linked United-TI account, you can link United-TI topics here with your current Cemetech topics.
Computer Tech Support =>
Technology & Calculator Open Topic
| Author |
Message |
|
shadowing
Powered by 64
Calc Guru
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 1002
|
 Posted: 08 Aug 2004 11:40:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Can static electricity really kill a computer component?
If so, can anyone tell me how many volts it takes to kill one? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Brazucs
I have no idea what my avatar is.
Super Elite (Last Title)
Joined: 31 Mar 2004
Posts: 3349
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
shadowing
Powered by 64
Calc Guru
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 1002
|
| Posted: 09 Aug 2004 12:13:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
I don't get what you meant...
O.K. I find out it does kill comp. components. However, how much volts would kill a motherboard.
How many volts is produced by walking over a wooden floor with no socks and shoes then touching a motherboard? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NETWizz
Byte by bit
Bandwidth Hog
Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 2369
|
| Posted: 09 Aug 2004 03:41:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
Answer, to actually kill a montherboard it depends where you touch it and the potentials of static electricity. Each component is rated e.g. 13 volts for a specific capacitor. If your potential is higher than 13 v say +10% that capacitor will fry ruining the component. You won't even feel that low potential.
Now, usually the IC and transistors are most sensitive. Components are 3.3, 5, and 12 volt powered, so obviously zapping a 5 volt component with anything above 5 v is quite bad.
You will likely damage the pathways of IC's erase EEPROM chips, re-flash your bios without any firmware...
When you rub your feet in low humidity, you often build in excess of 10,000 volts of electricity with virtually no cururent whatsoever. Haven't you touched a door nob or car and drawn a 2 inch spark or arc?
Chances are, doing that to a motherboard is nearly 100% going to fry the computer. If you fell it, it is to late. You likely won't even feel it. BTW, it takes several hundred volts of static electricity to feel! The voltages are actually magnitudes higher than that of wall voltage, but the current is near nothing.
If you put your finger in a wall outlet, there is some serrious current provided, so you will probably feel it. However, if your hands are dry, it might not even hurt. Still, it may kill you. I have been zapped 6 times and am still alive, but don't plan on getting zapped again.
Proper procedures. Leave your computer plugged in to a working 3 pronged outlet... the middle one is Earth ground.
While plugged in open the case. Touch something metal on the chasis and do not move in your chair or move your feet. You can now work on your comp and even unplug it if you like though you don't have too.
Be careful though, if you are worried, connedt a wire to yourself and the chasis. and keep the comp plugged in for ground. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
agility
Calc Spammer
Calc Guru
Joined: 16 May 2004
Posts: 1266
|
| Posted: 09 Aug 2004 06:28:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Isn't that a bad move though? I mean it's good for grounding purposes, but what if some electricity escapes from the PSU and goes into the rest of the computer that you're working on? What are your chances of that happening?
Quote: re-flash your bios without any firmware...
Cool. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Arcane Wizard
`semi-hippie`
Super Elite (Last Title)
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Posts: 8993
|
| Posted: 09 Aug 2004 06:53:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
agility wrote: Isn't that a bad move though? I mean it's good for grounding purposes, but what if some electricity escapes from the PSU and goes into the rest of the computer that you're working on? What are your chances of that happening?
Quote: re-flash your bios without any firmware...
Cool.
It's not too smart to strip the wires of the PSU and start poking random mainboard components with it. Unless you do that or have a PSU that is damaged (internal components stripped of insulation and thus being able to pass on electricity to whatever touches them, don't know how you'll ever get the insides of a PSU damaged so bad and it still working) pretty badly it'll never happen.
Obviously, if your PSU is damaged you shouldn't plug it into any sockets in the first place, you shouldn't plug in any damaged devices. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
X1011
10100111001
Active Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 657
|
| Posted: 10 Aug 2004 12:54:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
| So, it's better to have it plugged in when you're working in the case, is there any risk of getting shocked yourself? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Arcane Wizard
`semi-hippie`
Super Elite (Last Title)
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Posts: 8993
|
| Posted: 10 Aug 2004 04:54:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Well, it's best to have nothing plugged in at all when you work in the case, but I never bother to and I'm still here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NETWizz
Byte by bit
Bandwidth Hog
Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 2369
|
| Posted: 10 Aug 2004 06:31:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There is essentially nearly no risk working on the inside of a computer with it plugged in.
As stated, ATX supplies 12, 5, and 3.3 volts.
At 12 volts, nothing bad will likely happen to you even if you turn the computer on. However, the computer should be off.
You should never work on the power supply itself or even open it. Same with monitors. Not even if you unplug them. They have capacitors with a large charge. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Register to Join the Conversation
Have your own thoughts to add to this or any other topic? Want to ask a question, offer a suggestion, share your own programs and projects, upload a file to the file archives, get help with calculator and computer programming, or simply chat with like-minded coders and tech and calculator enthusiasts via the site-wide AJAX SAX widget? Registration for a free Cemetech account only takes a minute.
»
Go to Registration page
