ESD protection during keyboard assembly

[rpeterclark]

When working on a keyboard PCB I have typically used ESD protective mats, ESD safe tools (tweezers, solder sucker) and generally try to minimize the chance of ESD because I don't want to fry or add to the cumulation of static electricity on a difficult to replace \PCB. But then I see a video of someone building a rare/pricey keyboard on their computer desk with apparently no concern...

I'm not looking for NASA-grade ESD prevention, but I also don't want to go overboard if it's not a big concern.

What are reasonable steps to take to prevent ESD when assembling?

[Joey Quinn]

I've never really been concerned about ESD when building boards. But when I build boards I usually also assemble the PCB myself so I have replacements if something were to break.

[VoteForDavid]

It is good to observe common ESD-safe practices as you say you already do.  That should be enough.  I have built computers wearing non-plastic clothes with a concrete floor and zero ESD protection and gotten away with it.  One of the guys in one of my previous (electronics repair) shops where I worked would jokingly say "ESD is a myth!" when someone started making a fuss about the ESD mats having a sheet of paper on them or some similarly overly-anal thing.

You're doing fine.  You don't have to go nuts.  But if you work over carpet, in plastic shoes, plastic socks, and plastic clothes, on a dry winter day . . . have a spare controller handy for when your keyboard dies!

[rpeterclark]

Great, I appreciate the feedback!