Document ID: TOS-WIKI-REF-001
Revision: 1.0
Author: ThisOldScot
Section_1: Overview#
In the Highlands Lab, the ESD Protocol is our first line of defense. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects. While a human might not feel a 100V discharge, it is more than enough to puncture the gate oxide of a vintage MOS-technology chip, leading to “latent failures” that appear weeks after a repair is completed.
This guide outlines the mandatory grounding procedures for servicing any hardware within the ThisOldScot technical archive.
Section_2: Laboratory Setup Requirements#
| Component | Specification | Function |
| ESD Mat | Dual-layer Rubber (Heat Resistant) | Dissipative work surface for PCB handling. |
| Grounding Cord | 1M Ohm Resistor Integrated | Connects mat to building safety ground. |
| Wrist Strap | Constant-contact Elastic | Ensures technician potential matches work surface. |
| Common Point Ground | Star-point Block | Single termination point for all ESD gear. |
| Ionizer (Optional) | Benchtop Fan | Neutralizes static on non-conductive tools. |
Section_3: The Star-Point Grounding Procedure#
STAGE_3: 01 // Workstation Initialization#
- Secure the ESD mat to the bench using a 10mm snap connector.
- Connect the mat’s grounding cord to the common point ground.
- Verification: Use a multimeter to ensure resistance between the mat surface and the ground pin is approximately 1 Megohm.
STAGE_3: 02 // Personal Grounding#
- Fasten the wrist strap snugly around the non-dominant wrist.
- Connect the coil cord to the workstation’s common ground point.
- Ensure the metal plate of the strap maintains direct contact with the skin.
STAGE_3: 03 // Handling Protocol#
- Always touch a grounded dissipative surface before touching a PCB.
- Transport all hardware in Silver Shielding Bags or Pink Anti-Static Bubble Wrap.
- Never place a live PCB on a standard plastic or wooden surface during testing.
Section_4: Technical Warning#
Safety_Warning
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: Never use an ESD wrist strap when working on high-voltage equipment, such as CRT monitors or open Power Supply Units (PSUs). If a short-to-ground occurs, the strap provides a direct path for high-current electricity through your heart. For high-voltage work, the “One-Hand Rule” takes precedence over the ESD Protocol.
Section_5: Maintenance of the Work Surface#
Static-dissipative mats accumulate “insulating” layers of dust and flux residue over time.
- Daily: Wipe down with a dedicated ESD-safe cleaner (do not use standard household sprays containing silicone).
- Monthly: Test the resistivity of the mat using a surface resistance meter to ensure it remains within the 10^6 to 10^9 ohms range.