Author Topic: A question about screw-in stabilizers  (Read 5069 times)

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Offline Aerizu

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A question about screw-in stabilizers
« on: Fri, 18 May 2018, 22:39:51 »
So I ordered some clear screw-in stabilizers from ZealPC, and was wondering if they're safe to use in my WhiteFox PCB.

I've read somewhere online that screw-in stabs can short-circuit some PCB designs therefore I either need to use electrical tape or plastic/non-conductive washers.
But, I want to know how exactly one can determine if it's safe to use screw-in stabilizers without the use of electrical tape or plastic/non-conductive washers?

For example, in my WhiteFox PCB, the traces doesn't seem to be exposed and there doesn't seem to be any exposed pads near the mounting holes for the stabs.
Does this mean I can use these screw-in stabilizers without having a non-conductive material between the pcb and the screws?
« Last Edit: Fri, 18 May 2018, 22:42:02 by Aerizu »

Offline HotRoderX

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Re: A question about screw-in stabilizers
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 19 May 2018, 00:43:09 »
don't quote me on this but I think they recommend you use them on all PCB's unless the screws included with the stabs are plastic/nylon or some other non conductive materials. Personally my first KBD75 I built it using screw in Zeal stabs and no washers and it was find. This might have just been blind luck thought. The next board's I built I used washers on. There fairly cheap I got mine off amazing for like 5 bucks for 100. Which is most likely ample for the life of my keyboard building.

That being said I have heard the white fox is extremely static sensitive knowing that. I would place washers regardless just in case. The original PCB whitefox PCB had issues from massdrop and even the new runs from input club have the issue according to reddit. I would air on the side of caution in this case.