Laundry Advanced System: Beware of Static Electricity

This article initially appeared in PS 735, p. 52 (Feb 14).

The laundry advanced system (LADS) has a lot of electronic components. Problem is, some of them are getting damaged needlessly.

Electronic components are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD)—in other words, the discharge of static electricity. ESD can degrade or destroy transistors, resistors and integrated circuits in the LADS. ESD is especially common in areas of extreme, dry heat—places such as deserts, where humidity is very low.

The damage comes when you troubleshoot the LADS. Some of you handle electronics without proper grounding. When that happens, static electricity on your body discharges. You don’t feel the discharge or see the damage—but it’s there. A spark of as little as 30 volts can destroy electronics.

Protect electronic components by handling them only at a static-safe workstation. NSN 5920-01-250-4237 brings you a portable work surface, a common point ground system and a wrist strap.

Order portable ESD-safe workstation with NSN 5920-01-250-4237