On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 00:30:37 +0100 (CET), Carlos E. R. <robin1.listas@tiscali.es> wrote:
The Tuesday 2005-03-15 at 17:08 -0000, Kevanf1 wrote:
Don't be tempted to use a brush of any sort to clean the heatsinks. They are like static magnets and will readily discharge against the heatsink.... and of course fry whatever component it is attached to. Either use compressed air or just blow the dust away.
Are you sure of that? Normally the heatsink is isolated, or connected to one of the power rails, or some other pin different from a high impedance input. This is intentional, and makes handling safer. Otherwise, the very same wind generated by the plastic fan blades could build up dangerous static on the heatsink.
However, few hobbyist wear a static discharge hand band while working, nor have a controlled humidity.
-- Cheers, Carlos Robinson
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Absolutely, Carlos. It would be rare but there is the very real potential for a stray static charge to jump either across the heatsink or directly down to the mobo. It may not have immediate effects and may take anything from 6 to 12 months but problems will slowly start. I'm not 100% sure but I seem to remember that artificial 'hair' brushes are worse. That's not to say that natural fibres are safe. Of course, if you use compressed air you really need to be careful of the dust particles. Probably the best thing might be to completely remove the heatsink and then clean it with a brush or whatever. Using fresh heatsink compound to re-seat of course :-) I will admit that I used to take PC's apart all the time without a static band. But they weren't mine, they belonged to the Uni I worked at. Now, I always put one on when I'm working on my own or friends PC's. I also leave the PC plugged in. Switched off of course :-) -- Take care. Kevan Farmer 34 Hill Street Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7HR