Msg: 5707 *Conference*
03-15-95 17:49:16
From: RON WIESEN
To : ROCCO FORTUNATO
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #5666 (NICAD BATTERY (MEMORY))
Yes, you DON'T need the wrist strap if you take the precaution I mentioned. Wrist straps are for factory folks who handle a lot of CMOS circuitry daily where it's not practical to use such precaution each time they handle another circuit board during an 8 hour day. For a one shot handling, don't waste money on a wrist strap. Better than the phone book, use a sheet of aluminum foil to cover the work surface and lay the circuit board on the foil. The foil is very conductive, so no potential differences in voltage (static or otherwise) can develop between any circuit board points while the board is in contact with the foil. Don't forget to use a clip lead between the soldering iron and a ground trace of the circuit board. If you use the aluminum foil, you can just touch the foil with the soldering iron tip for a split second before you apply the tip to the circuit board. That way, any static voltage charge on the soldering iron gets discharged. NOTE: any longer than a split second and the foil melts and the soldering iron tip has to be cleaned to remove the aluminum - solder is a tin/lead mix, adding aluminum to the mix leaves you with something other than solder! I hope this reaches you in time Rocco. I've been working 50 to 60 hour weeks lately and just today had time to check the Club 100 board.