ESD = Electro-Static Discharge

You know, what happens when your buddy scuffs his feet on the carpet,
walks across the room on a dry winter's day, to ZAP you and the board he
just handed you...   (8-*>

As a minimum, make a habit of touching a known good ground (such as the shiny
metal of the power supply when it's plugged in) BEFORE touching any
boards, and BEFORE touching any board you are holding to anything else.

Depending upon the value of the parts you are handling, the antistatic bags
and packaging, conductive mats, and grounded wrist cuff (with 10 MegOhm
resistor in series to prevent YOUR electrocution if you touch Line voltage.)
may be expensive frills or a real time and money-saver.

Boyd Ramsay

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