Isolation film from a printout transparent cover? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: e-pirate
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 07:26:10 am
content: Hello, folks.I have an RECAL-DANA 1992 universal counter with a slightly deformed bottom metal case. To prevent it from shorting out the PCB traces, I want to make some kind of isolation sheet. I found a transparent film used to make covers for printouts/booklets. It is a grate look-and-feel thing. But unfortunately, I noticed a tendency of collecting static charge if I rub it against some cloth. Should I use it or it is better to fined something else?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 10:17:44 am
content: That stuff (and OHP transparency material, probably the same material) does seem particularly bad, maybe try card.I'd be more worried about damage from direct physical pressure on the underside of the PCB due to the distorted case - can't you bend it back into shape?

author: e-pirate
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 02:09:45 pm
content: There is no contact between metal case and PCB (and, I believe, never was), there were a couple of bumps inside the case, but I hammered them back out. I'm just a little bit paranoid (frankly speaking, I don't think my worries have any real reason, I simply just don't like how it look like).So, any other suggestions besides card?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 02:28:33 pm
content: blank ss PCB, copper side downvulcanised fibre sheet1.5mm or thicker gasket paper

author: e-pirate
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2015, 08:24:43 pm
content: SS PCB and gasket is, probably, a little bit overkill, cause it will be not that easy to cut this to fit in.Well, probably, I will leave it as it should be by design. Since the bottom is in it's original shape and it work pretty well even before I hammered it, I may be trying to solve the problem that does not exist.I will check if I will be able to find something on the easy in local store by rubbing it against my wool jacket (since I always have one on me cause it getting cold here now) and see if it collect charge. If not - I will leave it as it is.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2015, 10:46:18 am
content: Just use paperboard, something the thickness of cereal box board. (But not an actual cereal box, because the recycled board used could contain foil bits that could cause shorts.)

author: Joule Thief
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2015, 10:52:47 am
content: or a self adhesive rubber foot attached to the metal case - rubber foot toward the pcb.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2015, 12:38:33 pm
content: No, that would just point load the PCB if the case gets dented again (you'd be asking the PCB to support the case).

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2015, 12:43:04 pm
content: *DONT* use paperboard. It can get pretty cruddy with age and high ambient humidity and if it swells up enough to touch a component lead tip, can cause a leakage path to chassis.Gasket paper is water resistant and is easy to cut with scissors and a sharp stanley knife for the fiddly bits.