Repairing your own HP OMEN 16: precautions against static electricity
Why a discharge you can't even feel can shorten a component's lifespan, and how to protect against it properly.
Damage that's often invisible in the moment
An electrostatic discharge sometimes goes completely unfelt and unheard, and the affected component can seem to work normally for a while — before gradually degrading in its internal layers, cutting its lifespan short without an obvious cause. Some activities generate more static electricity than others, and the risk rises as the air gets drier (lower relative humidity): walking across carpet can generate up to 7,500 volts, versus 400 volts for ordinary workbench motions.
Protecting yourself before touching anything
Keep components in their anti-static packaging until you're ready to install them, discharge static electricity from your body before touching an electronic component, avoid any contact with pins and circuitry, and handle electronic components as little as possible. Any component removed should go straight back into an anti-static container.
Setting up a safe workspace
Cover the work surface with approved dissipative material, use an anti-static wrist strap connected to a properly grounded surface, rely on dissipative mats or foot straps for extra protection, cut the power before connecting or disconnecting any connector, and keep the work area free of non-conductive materials like polystyrene or ordinary plastic assembly aids.
Recommended equipment
HP specifically recommends: antistatic tape, antistatic smocks or sleeve protectors, conductive foam, grounded conductive table or floor mats, field service kits, ESD awareness labels, wrist and footwear straps with the right resistance, and conductive or metallized shielding transport bags and boxes.