Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is generated by two objects with different electrical
charges coming into contact with each other. An electrical discharge is created to
neutralize this difference, which can damage electronic components and printed cir-
cuit boards. Devices that are sensitive to ESD, such as Serverboards, motherboards,
PCIe cards, drives, processors, and memory cards require special handling. Use the
following precautions to help neutralize the difference of electrical charges coming
into contact with each other, before contact is made, to protect your equipment
from ESD:
Use a rubber mat that has been specifically designed as an electrical insulator.
Do not use a mat designed to decrease electrostatic discharge as protection
from electrical shock.
Use a grounded wrist strap designed to prevent static discharge.
Use antistatic or electrostatic discharge (ESD) preventive clothing or gloves.
Keep all components and printed circuit boards (PCBs) in their antistatic bags
until ready for use.
Touch a grounded metal object before removing the board from the antistatic
bag.
Do not let components or PCBs come into contact with your clothing, which
may retain a charge even if you are wearing a wrist strap.
Handle a board by its edges only. Do not touch its components, peripheral
chips, memory modules, or contacts.
When handling chips or modules, avoid touching their pins.
Put the Serverboard and peripherals back into their antistatic bags when not in
use.
For grounding purposes, verify your appliance provides excellent conductivity
between the power supply, the case, the mounting fasteners, and the Ser-
verboard.
229 Arcserve Appliance User Guide
