ESD, ElectroStatic Discharge, décharges électro-statiques

ESD can kill your DCX2496 !

ESD = Electrostatic Discharge

Many of the components inside the DCX, mostly on the DSP board, are extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharge (also known as ESD or static electricity). As we walk about we generate thousands of volts static electricity in our bodies through friction (most of this as a result of our clothing rubbing together and our feet rubbing against the floor). The danger comes when this surplus electrical power zaps into the delicate electrical components. Such electrostatic discharges can quickly and invisibly damage components and without warning and more than likely you won't know it has happened - that is, until your system doesn't work any more! The trick is to discharge ourselves in a controlled way rather than into the sensitive components.

One of the easiest ways to eliminate the issues surrounding ESD is to wear and ESD wrist strap. This is a simple bit of kit - one end is a wrist strap that goes around your wrist, and on the other end is usually a crocodile clip. This clip attaches to a good grounding point. So the risk of ESD is eliminated. In addition I can only recommend the use of an antistatic rubber mat on your work table like this one :

Components handling safety rules :

If installing new components, leave them in their anti-static bag until you are ready to use them.
Don't lay components on top of anti-static bags as this provides no protection.
Never slide cards or other components over any surface.
Avoid static-inducing materials such as plastic and polystyrene (Styrofoam) in the work area.
Always hold PCBs by the edges and the metal mounting bracket.
Avoid touching the components on the cards and the edge connectors that connect to expansion slots.

Remember, worst enemies of the SMD DIyer are :

fitted carpet
dry weather
shoes with high insulation soles
caster chair
soldering iron not connected to earth