FIELD SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 5
Electrostatic
Discharge and SBE 41 / 41CP CTD Sensors
November 2003; Updated August 2005
In early 2004, Sea-Bird installed transient surge protectors to help protect SBE 41 / 41CP CTDs from electrostatic discharge damage . However, large numbers of unprotected CTDs, manufactured before that date, remain at risk. Even after installation of surge protectors, float manufacturers and end users should continue to observe good ESD-prevention practices, especially when handling unmounted CTD/endcap assemblies.
Avoid wearing rubber-soled shoes. Avoid scuffing (sliding) your feet on carpeted surfaces. Discharge yourself by touching a grounded object.
Some examples of grounded objects include:
water faucet |
computer chassis, especially the bare metal back panel |
small screw that secures a wall switch or socket |
ship's hull or steel deck |
1. Ground yourself. | ||
2. Then, grasp the float housing before touching the titanium pressure port. | ||
3. Finally, first grasp the float endcap and then touch the pressure port before and while making electrical or mechanical connections to the pressure port. |
The CTD electronics and sensors should be treated like any unassembled semiconductor device:
Last modified: 06 Apr 2007
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