Need Static Electricity Prevention Advice

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Need Static Electricity Prevention Advice

My home is rampant with static electricity discharges. Every time I walk across the carpet I'm building up a charge. I'm worried about shocking my Apple IIe to death every time I touch it. It's a huge problem. Are there any products I can put under my Apple IIe or around it to protect it from the static electricity coming from me? I remember a mat I used to have under it back in the early 80's, but I'm not sure what to buy now. -thanks

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They make anti-static mats, t

They make anti-static mats, that you tie to ground (like the screw that holds the cover on your electrical outlet). Typically they're used on benches used to repair computers, but they can be cut to any size or shape. I don't have any links handy, but I bet a Google search for "antistatic mat" would give you some ideas. Simply place the mat underneath your IIe, then when you sit down to use it, touch the mat before you touch the computer.

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Thanks, great suggestion. Th

Thanks, great suggestion. That's exactly what I had under the Apple IIe back in the early 80's. It even had the cord to the ground screw just like you mentioned. But it still requires you to touch it first though, right?

I was hoping for some sort of static dissipator that would flow a shock away from the computer when I do accidentally touch the keys or the monitor.

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Well, provided the IIe's case

Well, provided the IIe's case itself is properly grounded (i.e. you have the power supply plugged into a 3-prong cord, connected to a properly-grounded 3-prong outlet), you'll probably be fine.

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Yes, it is properly grounded,

Yes, it is properly grounded, but I've felt a shock or two when walking up and touching it. It's odd. The Mac G4 next to it never shocks, but the Apple IIe has hit me once or twice with a shock when laying hands on it. I hope to avoid that in the future. Everything still works, but the shocks happened. Weird.

Edit to say:
Wait, it is plugged into a surge protecter that is properly grounded. Does that make a difference?

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Provided the surge protector

Provided the surge protector is grounded, then the IIe should be grounded by extension as well.

If you're just sitting at the IIe, working on it as usual, and you randomly get shocked when touching it, then that's not static electricity; that's current leaking out of the power supply. Chances are, in your case, you get shocked when touching the IIe because its casing is made of metal (you'd get the same shock if you touched a doorknob). The G4 doesn't shock you because it has a plastic casing, which doesn't dissipate static.

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antistatic mat

Please be sure to use the attached antistatic wrist strap connector that snaps to the mat. It has a 1 meg ohm resistor that will protect you from conducting too much should you complete the path to ground.

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Anti-Static Mat

2ee,

Try Jameco Electronics.

https://www.jameco.com

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There are several things you

There are several things you need to do:
1. Get an antistatic wristband assembly. Make sure it is grounded at the area you are working on. A good quality band made like those metal wristwatch bands made of metal.

2. Make sure your work area is static protected by getting the antistatic blue mats. also with the grounding strap attached. Ground them as per the instructions. Usually through a 1 Mega ohm resistor provided by this kit.

3. Preferabbly wear cotton clothing and socks, leather shoes (or barefoot. Do not wear synthetic clothing as it tends to generate/collect static electricity and the sleeves coming into contact will kill the transistors/ICs.

4. Do not lay your ckt boards on TOP of the anti static bag. That defeats the purpose. The outer surface is metalic and conducts electricity. Keeping all unworked boards in the bag.

5. Throw out any anti-static bags that are ripped, or showing signs of the outer surface peeling. The boards/components are no longer protected! They work by the Faraday Cup principal. Google this and you'll understand why.

Now, you ask where to get the beforementioned items? Fry's Electronics carry them along with directions for setting up.

Hope this helps.
-RocketScientists

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