geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Grandmasternoob on Mon, 08 April 2019, 16:49:24

Title: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: Grandmasternoob on Mon, 08 April 2019, 16:49:24: Guys, who knows, why the keyboard is disconnecting from the static electricity from my hand? beats in this place and the device turns off and then turns on again...
(https://i.imgur.com/1Zz8El1.jpg)
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 08 April 2019, 16:59:01: It's possssible.

To avoid, you'd want to make sure your outlet has proper earth ground.

This would necessitate making sure the HOUSE's electrical has proper earthing.

Some old places don't have it, but it's not expensive to install.
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: Grandmasternoob on Mon, 08 April 2019, 17:06:58: Yes, my house is not grounded...
keyboard, whose case is fully made of metal,will there be the same problems?
More
(https://static1.squarespace.com/static/563c788ae4b099120ae219e2/5aafa81b758d463a2268c4ce/5ab4efa7352f534a09f4bc48/1535873164889/RAMA-M60-A-03.769.jpg)
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: Darthbaggins on Tue, 15 December 2020, 08:34:05: This is why I have my rigs connected to a UPS, as they have been in some older homes and locations that didn't have the cleanest power straight from the wall socket.
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 16 December 2020, 02:17:39: Metal case?
The static is jumping from you to the keyboard and into the electronics because the case is not properly grounded.

Connect the case to the ground and/or shield of the USB, it will not stop you getting zapped, but it will stop it from damaging the keyboard by routing it away from the internals and into the computer's ground.
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 16 December 2020, 15:17:45: Well the board should be grounded if it's usb. but I guess it's possible the pcb wasn't designed right.
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: pixelpusher on Wed, 16 December 2020, 15:27:42: All of my boards that are metal shock me in the winter. Yes, all of them. From the cheap ones to the fancy schmancy ones designed by the big boys of the community. They always just disconnect from the computer. I have to unplug and replug.

I have a usb cable that runs from my computer to the front of my desk. When I go to sit at the computer I zap myself with it. Also, I use plastic boards for the dryest part of the winter. I have an anti-static mat below me. I have used a humidifier. Nothing seems to help once it gets that time of year. Just get something to shock yourself on and make it a habbit. Also, just a note that carbon fiber will shock you too. Didn't know that, personally :)
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 16 December 2020, 17:05:37: Thats SUPPOSE to happen, that's what grounding does, as it drains to ground in case of short..
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 16 December 2020, 21:09:54: Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 16 December 2020, 15:17:45
Well the board should be grounded if it's usb. but I guess it's possible the pcb wasn't designed right.
The PCB is always grounded, that doesn't mean the case or even the plate is.

Model M plates are grounded, ironically, the cheap Chinese aluminum boards like the Magicforce are, but other than that it's kind of rare to see a MX compatible board have a grounded plate. Technically this is fine if it's covered in plastic, where it gets dicey is on a metal chassis.

Quote from: pixelpusher on Wed, 16 December 2020, 15:27:42
All of my boards that are metal shock me in the winter. Yes, all of them. From the cheap ones to the fancy schmancy ones designed by the big boys of the community. They always just disconnect from the computer. I have to unplug and replug.
This shouldn't happen they should shock you*, but not lock up.

This is a pretty good indicator that the housing is not grounded and the spark is jumping from you to the case and then to the pcb where it's effecting components. The next one could be the one that destroys the controller, if it's not already been damaged.

*It's actually you shocking them.
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: pixelpusher on Wed, 16 December 2020, 22:09:29: Yep. I agree. But what I’m saying is that every single custom I own, from the $200 ones to the $1200 ones all do this. I’m not sure it’s ever happened on my heavy6 boards, but I don’t wanna chance it, ha! That’s why I shock myself with my spare usb cable before I sit down. Also why I’ve been using my model M for the past two weeks. :p
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 16 December 2020, 23:22:22: Quote from: pixelpusher on Wed, 16 December 2020, 22:09:29
Yep. I agree. But what I’m saying is that every single custom I own, from the $200 ones to the $1200 ones all do this. I’m not sure it’s ever happened on my heavy6 boards, but I don’t wanna chance it, ha! That’s why I shock myself with my spare usb cable before I sit down. Also why I’ve been using my model M for the past two weeks. :p
That's because many, if not most customs (including Chinese customs) are designed by people with no real world mechanical or electric experience.
They don't exactly come with a CE or UL certification.

I've gotten into the habit of disassembling every new board I get with an exposed plate or metal chassis to check and make sure it's grounded somehow.
Title: Re: static electricity is killing my keyboard...
Post by: Marsha11 on Wed, 02 June 2021, 06:37:16: I had the same problem with my keyboard, until I asked an electrician to ground it for me. I lived in one of those old houses with terrible wiring. My keyboard was constantly shutting down or electrocuting me. I tried all the internet tip-tips, but absolutely nothing worked for me. I realised that the most obvious solution was to find an electrician, which took me a long time to do. But when my computer nearly burned down, that was the last straw. At https://gordonpowers.com.au/suburb/electrician-castle-cove/ I found an electrician near my home, and he repaired my wiring.