If you want to avoid damaging sensitive components like MOSFETs or any CMOS IC, and the iron has a mains voltage element, then a properly grounded bit is *ESSENTIAL*.
If the bit isn't grounded the leakage current through the element's insulation when hot can be enough for you to be able to measure more than half the supply voltage on the bit with respect to ground, and if there is any ground connection to the board you are working on that *WILL* destroy any unprotected MOSFET gate.
If you want to avoid damaging sensitive components like MOSFETs or any CMOS IC, and the iron has a mains voltage element, then a properly grounded bit is *ESSENTIAL*.
If the bit isn't grounded the leakage current through the element's insulation when hot can be enough for you to be able to measure more than half the supply voltage on the bit with respect to ground, and if there is any ground connection to the board you are working on that *WILL* destroy any unprotected MOSFET gate.
How can you tell if the tip is grounded by looking the images?
If you want to avoid damaging sensitive components like MOSFETs or any CMOS IC, and the iron has a mains voltage element, then a properly grounded bit is *ESSENTIAL*.
If the bit isn't grounded the leakage current through the element's insulation when hot can be enough for you to be able to measure more than half the supply voltage on the bit with respect to ground, and if there is any ground connection to the board you are working on that *WILL* destroy any unprotected MOSFET gate.
No, all you know is that you don’t know whether you damaged anything or not. Lots of ESD damage is subtle, like reduced longevity or reduced performance, but not immediate failure.
No, all you know is that you don’t know whether you damaged anything or not. Lots of ESD damage is subtle, like reduced longevity or reduced performance, but not immediate failure.I don't disagree with this.
Unfortunately, some of us hobbyists happen to only have outlets like this:
Besides, if you don’t have a ground wire, you still might have a radiator pipe or something to connect to?
I’m not sure if your working in a production environment but if your not just ignore all the ESD crap. I have worked in electronicss for +25 years and have yet to damage anything. Note I do take basic precautions but this is really not down to any particular type of equipment. If your working on mains powered equipment or mains powered soldering iron it should be Earthed.
And you assume a radiator pipe will have a viable connection to earth why?
Besides, if you don’t have a ground wire, you still might have a radiator pipe or something to connect to?
And you assume a radiator pipe will have a viable connection to earth why?
Besides, if you don’t have a ground wire, you still might have a radiator pipe or something to connect to?
And you assume a radiator pipe will have a viable connection to earth why?Because it’s better than nothing? We are talking about grounding a soldering iron tip here, not a light fitting...
I’m not sure if your working in a production environment but if your not just ignore all the ESD crap. I have worked in electronicss for +25 years and have yet to damage anything. Note I do take basic precautions but this is really not down to any particular type of equipment. If your working on mains powered equipment or mains powered soldering iron it should be Earthed.
Besides, if you don’t have a ground wire, you still might have a radiator pipe or something to connect to?
And you assume a radiator pipe will have a viable connection to earth why?Because it’s better than nothing? We are talking about grounding a soldering iron tip here, not a light fitting...
For example, making sure to use antistatic foam for IC storage, or even foam with aluminum foil on it in a pinch.