I think ESD killed my panel.

[lookimback]

As the title says, I'm pretty sure ESD killed this panel. I was working on my second LED repair of the night. This one a Sanyo DP32D53. I replaced the LEDs, and was about to the panel back in place. I usually use a suction cup so I don't even have to touch the panel. I didn't on this one because it seemed easier to just lay it panel side down and lift the backlight assembly off the back. That went fine, but it was one of those flimsy thin bezels and the panel moved. I couldn't line it back up without flipping it and putting it back on the backlight assembly. When I touched the side of the panel to pick it up, got a pretty good static shock. When I finished the job and powered it on, I had a horizontal line right about where the ESD occurred. I have no way of knowing if the panel was good before the repair, so I'm really just assuming the ESD caused it, but the proximity of the ESD to where the line is leads me to believe it caused it. Has anyone else ever had this happen?

[tom66]

Re: I think ESD killed my panel.

Not had it happen, but it's completely believable.

[lookimback]

Re: I think ESD killed my panel.

Not had it happen, but it's completely believable.

Good to know that it is at least plausible.

I think using a mattress as a work surface was a bad idea. Usually I at least put a sheet of cardboard under them. I'm working on a DIY cleanroom design because I do a lot of LED repairs, which are seriously complicated by dust and cat hair. I intend to make an ESD safe work bench with anti-static Formica, and ESD epoxy on the floor. Then I can just use a heel strap. It's going to be small, about 9x8, so the floor shouldn't be too much.

Anti-static Formica

ESD Epoxy

[tom66]

Re: I think ESD killed my panel.

Cardboard would be worst.

Best thing for ESD is conductive material. The material that you get behind radiators to insulate them - it's got a foil-like appearance - isn't bad

[lookimback]

Re: I think ESD killed my panel.

Cardboard would be worst.

I was thinking moving the panel on the mattress was more likely to build a charge than on cardboard, like stuffing your feet across a carpet. I'm going to go to Walmart and get one of those foil emergency blankets. Not sure how durable they are, but they're conductive and only about $3.