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| Is it dangerous to clean your computer with compressed air or vacuum? |
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| Galenbo:
I have a XP-age laptop that shuts down after a few minutes. I needed it again for a few tests, and blew it to life again wit 8bar, without opening. Works perfect now. |
| janoc:
--- Quote from: SteveyG on June 27, 2016, 07:54:07 am --- --- Quote from: blueskull on June 23, 2016, 02:40:36 pm ---ESD is not that dangerous. Most computer parts have built in ESD protection against <=2kV HBM or <=500V MM/CDM ESD. Even if an ESD event happened with more energy than rated, a chip usually will deteriorate in long term reliability, not drop dead immediately. --- End quote --- ESD is extremely dangerous :palm:. Failure modes can be anything from immediate death to occasionally odd behaviour. How many times have you had a PC crash? How many times was this due to ESD damage? Was is a software bug or a damaged transistor in an odd memory location that is rarely exercised? --- End quote --- ESD is dangerous if you have naked, unsoldered parts. Components mounted on a board are reasonably safe because the circuitry will dissipate any charge build up before it could break something. The chances you will ESD fry something by blasting dust out from your computer are negligible. You are much more likely to damage it by the sheer force of the air blast if you aren't careful or by breaking something off by hitting it with the nozzle. I do wonder how would one go about figuring out that the PC has crashed because of ESD damage and not something much more mundane - like crappy driver or just Windows taking a dump, though! |
| TheSteve:
I've had a computer reboot as soon as the vacuum touched the case - obviously from static. Yes, the computer should have at least been turned off. These days I use a static safe 3M vacuum - they are small/portable, black in color and all attachments are ESD friendly. When cleaning RF products such as network analyzers you want to be very careful. I've also used compressed air with excellent results. Sometimes it is the only way to get something clean. I've had scopes and network analyzers from very humid countries that were beyond disgusting internally. The crap can be so caked on that 90 PSI doesn't move it, it has to be brushed off. I prefer to only use the compressed air when it isn't really dry outside and to be sure no water is being condensed and sprayed by the compressor. |
| IanJ:
Hi all, I use a mini electric duster leaf blower. It has a rubber tube which is less susceptable to generating static. Rules of engagement:- 1. Disconnect the PC and take it outside. 2. Blow from about 10" away. 3. Don't let the tip of the blower tube touch the PC at all. 4. Be wary of spinning up fans with the blower as it can damage bearings/blades. 5. Blow everything from multiple directions as it helps dislodge stubborn dust. 6. On a particularly dusty PC then blow before removing any cards, the blow again after. This helps to avoid driving dust and grime into card slots. Ian. |
| Watth:
Greetings EEVfloks, Unearthing this thread as I'm considering one of those rechargeable air dusters, such as the one featured in https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1338-mailbag/msg3246812/#msg3246812 . My usages of such product could include cleaning electronic products. I've read on this forum that there could be concerns regarding ESD risks. If one wants to be extra cautious, would it be effective to have a bit of copper (or other conductive material) tube at the end of the nozzled connected to earth? Thanks for reading! |
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