ESD Electrostatic Discharge Damage Prevention

by Santa Rosa’s Top Rated Mac Repair Professionals

Serving Sonoma County - Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, and mac users throughout Northern California since 1997

At MacAdvantage, we take electrostatic discharge (ESD) seriously and are dedicated to protecting your computer and other ESDS (electrostatic discharge sensitive) devices from potential damage caused by ESD.

Protecting your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, iPad, iPhone and other electronic equipment and components from ESD damage is crucial during service and repair, and at MacAdvantage, we firmly adhere to industry ESD protocols to ensure your Apple computer and other electronic equipment is protected at all times while in the lab.

What is ESD - Electrostatic Discharge?

Whenever an Apple computer or other electrical device is opened, its internal components are exposed to potential damage from the static electricity that can build up in the human body through normal activity.  

We’ve all experienced occurrences of static electricity, particularly in low humidity environments, or on carpeted floors. For example, walking across a carpeted floor, in socks, in a heated room during winter generates sufficient static electricity to give us a rather shocking experience when we touch the door knob or each other. When you do feel an electrical shock, you are feeling a minimum of 3000 volts.

While this sudden discharge of static electricity does not result in any harm to the human body, it can be very damaging to electronic devices which are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Exposing an integrated circuit (IC) to as little as 10 volts of static electricity can damage the device irreparably. Since humans can’t perceive static electricity of less than 1500 volts, the damaging event can occur undetected.

While it is critical that ESD damage prevention protocols are adhered to at all times in a professional electronics repair and service lab, protocols are not difficult or overly complex.

There are many online articles and youtube videos detailing how a layperson may safely handle RAM, logic boards, hard drives and other electronic components and devices that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge - ESD.

The Apple Certified Mac Technician (ACMT) hardware exam contains sections on ESD precautions and technician safety that each of our Mac Certified Technicians must pass in order to become certified technicians.

How is your iMac, MacBook, Hard Drive, RAM and other ESDS equipment protected from ESD damage while in the care of MacAdvantage?

As Apple computer repair and service experts, we take many extra precautions, and our technicians are well versed and practiced in industry standard protocols to prevent and control ESD. Our shop is specifically designed to reduce electrostatic buildup using a arsenal of preventative measures to protect electrostatic discharge sensitive (ESDS) devices:

Electrically conductive static discharge floor mats reduce static charges from technicians

Work benches are ESD safe per industry standards. Grounded ESD table mats are installed at each of our 16 work stations.

ESD wrist straps and/or sole grounders are worn by each of our technicians when working with any sensitive electronic equipment to prevent ESD damage.

ESDS Components are kept in anti-static bags until installed to prevent static build up.

Technicians discharge any personal static prior to working inside computers, or opening anti static bags with sensitive components inside.

Technicians work at standing work benches further reducing the chances of static build up, and assemble all needed tools at the work station, to prevent the need to move around during the repair.

Tools with protective coating prevents ESD from harming sensitive electronics.

Humidity levels are monitored in the shop. By keeping humidity levels optimal, there’s less static buildup.

Air ionizers may further reduce static buildup.

We service the MacPro Towers, iMacs and MacBook Pros of many electrical engineers, electricians, computer technicians and other ESD savvy professionals who have observed and trust our expertise and ESD damage prevention protocols, including engineers from Northrup Grumman, 3M (manufacturers of ESD damage prevention tools, anti static mats), Agilent, in addition to many other computer technicians from ESD compliant labs in Sonoma County. client reviews tech reviews

We are dedicated to repairing your MacBook safely, quickly efficiently, and cost effectively - so you aren’t without your Mac any longer than absolutely necessary.

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Mac Repair Santa Rosa CA

© Copyright 1997-2013, The MacAdvantage, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

MacAdvantage has a history of Apple support and Mac repair excellence. Call now to find out how our award winning team including our Apple Certified Mac Technicians can resolve your MacBook Pro, Air, iMac hardware or software issues: 707-664-0400

Apple awarded MacAdvantage the status of top Apple Business Agent in the North Bay, including Sonoma, Marin and Napa Counties. MacAdvantage was among the top seven Apple Business Agents worldwide* (see sidebar to left)

We take ESD seriously! And, at MacAdvantage we go far beyond the computer repair industry standards of ESD protection, to ensure your MacBook Pro, iMac, iPad, iPhone and other electronic equipment is serviced expertly, professionally and protected at all times from ESD - electrostatic discharge damage.

Expert Mac Repair for Santa Rosa Mac users

Since 1997  MacAdvantage: 707-664-0400

Petaluma, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Healdsburg, Oakmont, Glen Ellen, Windsor, CA

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