Static Electricity: How to zap a mobo

Typically one object is made of an insulating material or a conductive material insulated from the ground. Charge imbalance creates an electric fiel that causes objects to attract of repel.

With PCs. the most dangerous aspect is what happens when statically charged objects are brought near each other. A high voltage/low amperage current - a static discharge. They aren't dangerous to humans, but can be very hard on electronics.

• 1000 V - will damage a chip
• 3000 V - a human will feel it
• 8000 V - visible spark
• 35000 V - typical carpet spark

So most of the time you won't even see or feel the discharge that damages your equipment.

Preventing static buildup:

• Don't shuffle your feet
• Keep the room humid
• Keep yourself grounded; you and the components you service can remain grd so the charges don't build up.
  
• Wear cotton clothing instead of more sythetic materials.
  
• Remove carpeting from service rooms.
  
• Use air ionization system to build up a neutralizing charge in the air

Preventing static discharge:

• Unplug the PC and touch the metal case before touching components
• Use an anti-static mat or an anti-static wrist strap or static safe bags.
  

Static discharge is not normally a problem when the case is closed.