Anti-static precautions

I've just bought a new laser pickup for a CDP. It has warnings about using a wrist strap and conductive sheet.
Now I don't want to wreck the new pickup, but I want to replace it ASAP (as in not go to the shops), is there anyway I can improvise these two, or get round not using them?
Thanks guys

 

Not really an easy way around it.
Places like Maplin will supply and ESD sheet and wrist strap to work from, this comes with a cable that you plug into a socket to earth it.
You could use tin foil and connect that to earth, you would also need to connect yourself to earth.

Where abouts are you?
I have a portable ESD work mat you can borrow, if your local.

 

Plug in the cdplayer and touch the metal chassis, this should provide an earth for you. (If you feel the discharge (oo'er) then you are probably carrying a fair few volts - more than 3KV iirc)

Depending on the ICs it only takes a couple of hundred volts to cause damage.

If you work with ESD risky components regularly then an ESD mat is a must - if its a one off, dont bother.

 

Laser pickups are very sensitive, much more so than general circuitry. For the most part this country doesn't require much in the way of ESD precautions (unlike, say, Texas or Arizona, where there is a lot of electronics production), but this is one thing I would take great care with, even here.

Ground yourself to a metal object (radiators and taps are good). If you don't have anti-static mats then use things like the pink bubble wrap that the laser mech probably came in, the silver or black bags that computer components come in, etc. You can fashion a wristband out of tinfoil and some wire...

 

the difference between the UK and Texas is relative humidity

 

Yup.

 

Don't wear nylon pants and wool trousers

 

Damnit Isaac, I'd already done it. Here's wha tI did, removed the fuse from the plug andf plugged it in. Everytime I went to touch the pickup, I touched the body of the CDP first... good enough? Maybe not, because
All went smoothely in replacing, but now it won't read anything. The disc doesn't spin, and the door opens again with the cd. Have I buggered the pickup, or is there another trick?
FYI CDP is Rotel RCD930ax, pickup is KSS-210a
Thanks

 

wearing 100% cotton jeans, 100% linen shirt, leather jacket...

 

Did you remove the solder bridge (that helps to protect against static discharge) ?
Happens all the time.

Martin.

 

If you follow a few basic precautions you should be fine......ie grounding your self to the cd chasis ....not stroking the cat while rebuilding your cdp etc if you have a house were you get shocks take extra care...

 

you have a problem?

 

I've just removed the solder bridge, thanks.
BUT, same symptoms. It doesn't even let the door stay shut when there's no cd.
Any adjustments I need to make?