New case, old problems. ESD/EMI issues with new chassis.

[LabRat 891]

I just re-built into a new case (Geometric Future Dharma) with 2 big glass windows on it, and when I get up or sit down into/out of my chair about 60% of the time the ESDs (between clothing and chair) are disconnecting a device in/on my PC (2-3ft from chair, under desk). I haven't been able to pin down what device(s). (I'm suspecting data link to the monitor and/or NIC (based off duplicate hidden devices in device manager)
Note: The PC is connected to an always-online double conversion UPS, and it did *not* do this with my old Fractal Design Focus G (even w/ its smaller and singular acrylic window)

At first I assumed the big glass windows are the issue (since the same occurred on old case, w/o a side panel at all) but,
this case does re-orient the I/O to the top of the case w/ a metal mesh cover over the top.

I've considered some Metallic Window Tint Film or actual EMI shielding film from Holland Shielding Systems
but
if it's just a 'bad' cable, I'd rather just replace or 'choke' the offending one.

Thoughts? Insight?

 

[eidairaman1]

I just re-built into a new case (Geometric Future Dharma) with 2 big glass windows on it, and when I get up or sit down into/out of my chair about 60% of the time the ESDs (between clothing and chair) are disconnecting a device in/on my PC. I haven't been able to pin down what device(s). (I'm suspecting data link to the monitor and/or NIC (based off duplicate hidden devices in device manager)
Note: The PC is connected to an always-online double conversion UPS, and it did *not* do this with my old Fractal Design Focus G (even w/ its smaller and singular acrylic window)

At first I assumed the big glass windows are the issue (since the same occurred on old case, w/o a side panel at all) but,
this case does re-orient the I/O to the top of the case w/ a metal mesh cover over the top.

I've considered some Metallic Window Tint Film or actual EMI shielding film from Holland Shielding Systems
but
if it's just a 'bad' cable, I'd rather just replace or 'choke' the offending one.

Thoughts? Insight?

What chair?

You might consider changing to a different chair or clothes and getting an anti static mat, ive killed 2 usb drives via esd on the back of a motherboard, thank God the mobo wasn't damaged but the drives were toast.

You might need to consider bare metal bonding between the chassis and power supply. There is a thing used for electronics called a bonding strap

 

[LabRat 891]

What chair?

You might consider changing to a different chair or clothes and getting an anti static mat, ive killed 2 usb drives via esd on the back of a motherboard, thank God the mobo wasn't damaged but the drives were toast.

Some generic cloth and 'technical mesh' chair. It certainly doesn't help wearing polyester, either; you're right.
The ambient humidity is definitely too low, too. but, I really don't want to have to run a humidifier.
Over the last decade+, I've sent at least 2 PCs into 'conniption fits' of flashing colors, from ESDing a USB port directly. Thankfully, neither was an (immediate*) casualty.
*I'm well-aware ESD damage is somewhat 'cumulative', and 'still working' does not mean "undamaged".
My personal conundrum is, that this was not an issue w/ my old case, as long as I had it 'buttoned up' (side panels on and tightened)

You might need to consider bare metal bonding between the chassis and power supply. There is a thing used for electronics called a bonding strap

The screws, threads, and the facings the screws pull down onto, all have their paint/coating worn away. -Probably not a good enough of a bonding though...

If I were to install a bonding strap between the PSU's casement and the chassis of my case, where should the chassis-side mount go? Would *any* existing threaded screwhole work (sanded bare, torque'd down), or would the rough-center of the chassis' mass be better?

 

[eidairaman1]

Some generic cloth and 'technical mesh' chair. It certainly doesn't help wearing polyester, either; you're right.
The relative humidity is definitely too low, too. but, I really don't want to have to run a humidifier.

Over the last decade+, I've sent at least 2 PCs into 'conniption fits' of flashing colors, from ESDing a USB port directly. Thankfully, neither was an (immediate*) casualty.
*I'm well-aware ESD damage is somewhat 'cumulative', and 'still working' does not mean "undamaged".


The screws, threads, and the facings the screws pull down onto, all have their paint/coating worn away. -Probably not a good enough of a bonding though...

If I were to install a bonding strap between the PSU's casement and the chassis of my case, where should the chassis-side mount go? Would *any* existing threaded screwhole work (sanded bare, torque'd down), or would the rough-center of the chassis' mass be better?

A unpainted/uncoated "bare" metal spot can be used for bonding.

A co-worker had to remove some paint on an aircraft part in a certain spot to get less than 20 milliohms (0.020Ω) of resistance for proper bonding continuity.

I use a Modern 'Megger' at work for insulation resistance and continuity.

 

[JWNoctis]

For what it worth, the matting on my chair has some kind of synthetic material that produces so much static electricity when I sit down and stand up, that it gives painful shocks and I've managed to fry the balanced output ports of two DACs, and a (thankfully non-critical) touch button on the control panel of a water heater, before figuring out to ground myself first. It does not appear to have done anything to the computers on my table - though now I'm wondering whether it might have anything to do with some of the freezes I've been occasionally getting. My current case has one large glass panel on it at the usual location.

Back on topic, I'd be worried about grounding somewhere along the chain to your setup's internals, and not just the case, if it is that bad.

 

[Arrakis9]

Is the air unusually dry were your at? the chair choice doesn't help, mine uses that synthetic mesh too and can produce some nasty shocks. my opinion? invest in a humidifier for that room.

 

[eidairaman1]

Or replace the mesh chair

 

[Caring1]

It's not the chair, it's the clothing material.
Don't wear cheap polyester and it won't happen.
I've seen a guy set fire to his car while filling the gas because of a static spark from his track pants

 

[Lucky8]

What about you shoes / carpet/ floor?

 

[LabRat 891]

What about you shoes / carpet/ floor?

Generally, when lounging
socks on faux hardwood vinyl.
I can FEEL the bulk of the discharges between my body and the chair, though.

It's not the chair, it's the clothing material.
Don't wear cheap polyester and it won't happen.
I've seen a guy set fire to his car while filling the gas because of a static spark from his track pants

I don't own any other pants for 'out and about' other than 100% cotton jeans

Polyester is bad for a myriad of reasons. At this time in my life, and in my current living situation -I don't care.
but TBH, I typ. prefer cotton, linen, and other natural fibers


BTW

Update:
I *may* have found and remediated the cause. It seems a keyboard and/or controller plugged into the front panel, were the culprit.
After disconnecting the 360 controller and moving the keyboard's USB to it's proper location, the issue seems to have vanished for the time being.

 

[eidairaman1]

Generally, when lounging
socks on faux hardwood vinyl.
I can FEEL the bulk of the discharges between my body and the chair, though.


I don't own any other pants for 'out and about' other than 100% cotton jeans

Polyester is bad for a myriad of reasons. At this time in my life, and in my current living situation -I don't care.
but TBH, I typ. prefer cotton, linen, and other natural fibers


BTW

Update:
I *may* have found and remediated the cause. It seems a keyboard and/or controller plugged into the front panel, were the culprit.
After disconnecting the 360 controller and moving the keyboard's USB to it's proper location, the issue seems to have vanished for the time being.

Check the hook ups of the fp connectors

 

[Lucky8]

Generally, when lounging
socks on faux hardwood vinyl.
I can FEEL the bulk of the discharges between my body and the chair, though.

Well but that's a recipe for EDs. What you feel could easily be the electricity trying to reach ground. Is your case grounded ? Maybe you can check if your house was built with a general ground or it is not available/working. Depending on the country you live in, the plugs have a third prong to work along the general grounding in your house.
Also, if you put your feet on the chair legs and maybe move them, the friction increases a lot the transport of energy. Specially on lothes as wool or synthetic fabrics. The leftover static electricity from your PC is trying to find the shortest path to discharge to the ground.
Try an auxiliary grounding. Any wire attached to one of the PSU screws long enough to attach it to anything with a strong ground, like a window frame if metallic. You can not trust your floor as it may be floating hardwood floor so not good ground point.
Be careful. Static is not lethal but if you act carelessly you may touch any other component and damage it. Make sure you connect the temporary wire to the back of the PSU or case ( any one will do, And you can use the very same screw to fix it temporary ) and then directly to ground .