How To Use The Portable Anti Static Mat Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

11

Time Required

                          1 - 5 minutes            

Sections

1

• How to Use the Portable Anti-Static Mat
• 11 steps

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Introduction

Anti-static mats help minimize electrostatic discharge (ESD) when repairing electronic devices. They work in tandem with anti-static wrist straps to equalize the charge between your hand and the device.

Note: the iFixit Portable Anti-Static Mat comes with an anti-static wrist strap.

For more information on ESD, click here.

What you need

Step 1

              Unfold the mat               

• Unfold your anti-static mat and spread it out on your work area.
• Make sure the iFixit logo is facing upward.

Unfold your anti-static mat and spread it out on your work area.

Make sure the iFixit logo is facing upward.

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Step 2

              Attach the black grounding wire               

• Place the black grounding wire’s connector over one of the mat’s grounding nodes.
• Press down on the connector until you hear a click to secure it to the mat.

Place the black grounding wire’s connector over one of the mat’s grounding nodes.

Press down on the connector until you hear a click to secure it to the mat.

Step 3

• Attach the black grounding wire’s clip to a grounded metal surface.
• To ensure a good grip on the surface, pinch hard on the clip’s levers to open the jaws wide.

Attach the black grounding wire’s clip to a grounded metal surface.

To ensure a good grip on the surface, pinch hard on the clip’s levers to open the jaws wide.

Step 4

• Before you put on your anti-static wrist strap, remove any jewelry from your wrist and fingers.

Before you put on your anti-static wrist strap, remove any jewelry from your wrist and fingers.

Step 5

              Adjust the strap               

• The anti-static strap should be adjusted to fit snug on your wrist.
• Pull up on the looped end of the strap to disengage the plastic lock.

The anti-static strap should be adjusted to fit snug on your wrist.

Pull up on the looped end of the strap to disengage the plastic lock.

Step 6

• To tighten the strap, pull the looped end away from the plastic slide.

To tighten the strap, pull the looped end away from the plastic slide.

Step 7

• To loosen the strap, pull the main part of the band away from the plastic slide.
• Re-engage the plastic lock before continuing.

To loosen the strap, pull the main part of the band away from the plastic slide.

Re-engage the plastic lock before continuing.

Step 8

• Slide the strap over your hand and secure it to your wrist.
• If the strap is still too loose or tight, you can adjust it while it’s on your wrist.

Slide the strap over your hand and secure it to your wrist.

If the strap is still too loose or tight, you can adjust it while it’s on your wrist.

Step 9

              Plug in the strap               

• Disconnect the strap’s metal clip from the rest of the blue grounding wire.

Disconnect the strap’s metal clip from the rest of the blue grounding wire.

Step 10

• Insert the tip of the blue grounding wire into one of the black grounding wire’s sockets.

Insert the tip of the blue grounding wire into one of the black grounding wire’s sockets.

Step 11

• Place your device on the mat.
• You’re now ready for repairs!
• Throughout the repair, keep the device centered on the mat to minimize ESD.

Place your device on the mat.

You’re now ready for repairs!

Throughout the repair, keep the device centered on the mat to minimize ESD.

For other general electronics skills guides, click here.

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                    Alex Diaz-Kokaisl                     

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Cringe_Master245 - 4 days agoJan 19, 2023

Reply

What else can the mat be grounded to, as I don’t have a metal desk.