🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Dec11.211003.22990@pts1.pts.mot.com> more_da@pts4.pts.mot.com writes:
>In article 30773@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU, gw214790@LANCE.ColoState.Edu (Galen Watts) writes:
>>The way I install CMOS chips is in the bathroom.  Take the circuit board, all
>>the tools you might need and the chips into the b-room and close the door.
>>Run the shower on HOT for a few minutes, until the mirror fogs over.  Leave the
>>The idea is to use the high humidity to dissipate any static charges.  
>>
>This isn't a flame or anything, but are you serious?  Boy, am I glad I live in
>sunny and humid South Florida, because I would hate to take a shower everytime
>I play around with CMOS parts.  :-)
>I guess a simple ground strap doesn't suffice up there, huh?
>
Yes, totally serious.  Currently (11:30 am), the temp here is -4c and the
relative humidity reads around 4%.  I don't have a humidifier in my heating
system, but some around here do.  You walk 10 feet across a carpet and touch
the stove or a doorknob and you get a little zap.  Petting the cat or dog in
the dark gives quite a little electrical show, with different colored sparks.
This can be enough to destroy a $20 CMOS chip and I don't take any chances.

As for a ground strap, unless you spend real money for a real strap, they are
pretty much worthless.  I've worked for electronic manufacturers around here
that use CMOS, and they blow about 3-5% of their chips on the assembly line.

The low humidity may be a hassle in the winter, but when summer hits, (90-100F)
it's nice and warm and virtually never "muggy".

It works for me.
Galen Watts, KF0YJ