Did I damage something with ESD?

[TomMe]

Hello guys,

I've just built a new computer, and this was the first time I've used ESD protection like wrist strap and grounding mat. Now, I believe I have used these tools to the best of my ability. But when you do this for the first time, you notice that nothing ever goes as you intended, nothing is perfect. Even though I am quite confident about the way I installed everything, I am concerned about something I did during the installation.

Before I knew that adhesive tape is bad for electronics, I used to tape together the wires of my 80mm fans to keep my case orderly. Yesterday I removed some of this tape from those wires to play it safe. After removing the tape, the wires were a bit sticky (or better said, their insulation) so I used the tape over and over on the wires to get the residual glue off. Unfortunatly I only later realised that the wires of the fans were plugged into the motherboard via two Zalman Fanmate 2 regulators. I immediately panicked and stopped with what I was doing.

I might be overreacting, but I don't know enough about electronics to be sure. Could I have damaged my new setup by this? To be clear, I used the tape on the (red, yellow and black) insulation of the wires to keep them together and each wire was connected via a fan regulator, which probably has a resistor built in, to a motherboard fan connector.

I realise that insulation should, well "insulate" the wires but will it protect the wires from the static charge created by the tape? If not, what about the Fanmates? I believe they are set to run 12V fans at about 7-8V right now, could they have offered some protection perhaps?

 

[RacerX27]

As long as you didn't have bare wires touching your fine. If the insulation was still sealed and intact, your not going to ESD through normal working enough to damage anything.

If you rubbed your feet fast on the carpet and then touch the PC, then you might do some damage.

The wrist strap and matt keep you and the parts your working on at or near the same potenial. IE if you and the parts were at 5000v, if you were bonded correctly you would not damage anything. ESD is damaging when there is a difference of potential large enough to discharge. Ever seen the helis working on live transmission lines? The heli is bonded to the wire keeping the tech, heli and wire all at the same potential.

If everything is working, you did nothing wrong.

 

[TomMe]

I didn't touch any bare wires, and I think the insulation is intact. I was connected with the computer through a wrist strap when I was pulling the tape off of the insulation (though I'm more worried about the static charge the tape holds and creates on the insulation). But afterwards I touched the insulation of the wires without wearing one after I walked a bit on carpet. I imagine that's as bad as pulling off tape. Don't know what I was thinking there.. The good news is, those are the only stupid things I did.

Everything is working okay so far, I'm more scared of latent damage or damage I can't immediately see. I wish I wasn't so paranoid about these things. But if the insulation provides adequate protection against such ESDs, then I guess I shouldn't be worried at all.

 

[bartsimsonii]

Hello guys,

I've just built a new computer, and this was the first time I've used ESD protection like wrist strap and grounding mat. Now, I believe I have used these tools to the best of my ability. But when you do this for the first time, you notice that nothing ever goes as you intended, nothing is perfect. Even though I am quite confident about the way I installed everything, I am concerned about something I did during the installation.

Before I knew that adhesive tape is bad for electronics, I used to tape together the wires of my 80mm fans to keep my case orderly. Yesterday I removed some of this tape from those wires to play it safe. After removing the tape, the wires were a bit sticky (or better said, their insulation) so I used the tape over and over on the wires to get the residual glue off. Unfortunatly I only later realised that the wires of the fans were plugged into the motherboard via two Zalman Fanmate 2 regulators. I immediately panicked and stopped with what I was doing.

I might be overreacting, but I don't know enough about electronics to be sure. Could I have damaged my new setup by this? To be clear, I used the tape on the (red, yellow and black) insulation of the wires to keep them together and each wire was connected via a fan regulator, which probably has a resistor built in, to a motherboard fan connector.

I realise that insulation should, well "insulate" the wires but will it protect the wires from the static charge created by the tape? If not, what about the Fanmates? I believe they are set to run 12V fans at about 7-8V right now, could they have offered some protection perhaps?

Your way overreacting. I know this is probably your first time but your suggesting the ESD somehow went through the insulation and damaged something on the MOBO which is extremely unlikely. Your fine, There isn't any damage.

 

[agent420]

It amazes me how esd has become such a concern recently... Sure, esd is an issue, but not nearly to the extent of some of this stuff... I will say tape is a good source, but really only when some length is spooled off a roll. So I understand the OP's thoughts here, but still the concern is unrealistic.

Before you know it we'll have esd wrist bands to handle usb keychain drives, and you'll be grounding yourself before you snap that photo with your digicam... I mean, esd doesn't discriminate against non-pc devices, right? It's an equal opportunity offender. AND, those things aren't even grounded!!! Your cell phone is an esd incident just waiting to happen - don't answer that call

 

[TomMe]

I will say tape is a good source, but really only when some length is spooled off a roll.

Well, the tape was about 2 inches long and it did contain some static as it was attracted to metal.

So I understand the OP's thoughts here, but still the concern is unrealistic.

Thanks for the reassurance.

If there's anything I've learned from this experience, it's that all you can really do at home is minimize ESD by being (very) careful. How much you may look out for it, you'll always make at least one stupid mistake.