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.