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Hospira GemStar Manual 430-10984-001 (Rev. 03/06)
A. Electrical Potentials
Contact the biomedical engineering department for additional information in the technical
service manual concerning operating devices near RF sources.
Information Regarding Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
Electrostatic discharge is a transfer of electric charge between bodies of different electrostatic
potential in proximity or through direct contact. For example, an electrostatic
disc
harge might be
observed when exiting a car on a very dry day. After exiting the car and then touching the car
door, electrostatic discharge can often be felt and seen. Discharging one's body by touching the
door with the car key will effectively eliminate these effects.
Electrostatic discharge can damage electronic equipment. At a minimum, all staff using the
device, including clinical/biomedical engineering and healthcare staff, should read and adhere
to the precautionary procedures below.
Precautionary Procedures
One of the most common causes of electrostatic damage to electronic devices is the direct
transfer of electrostatic energy from the human body to the electrostatic, discharge sensitive
electronic equipment.
DO NOT touch any connectors with fingers or any hand-held metal object unless proper
precautionary procedures have been followed.
Methods to prevent build-up of electrostatic charge should be employed. The use of air
conditioning and/or humidification, conductive floor coverings, and non-synthetic
clothing is recommended during use or servicing of the device.
It is recommended that the device be used in areas that have wood, concrete, or ceramic
tile flooring. If floors are covered with synthetic material, the relative humidity should be
at least 30%.
To reduce the potential of damage from ESD:
Touch the frame of the device, earth, or a large metal object to discharge one's body.
Use a grounding wrist strap prior to touching connectors.
430-10984-001.book Page 148 Friday, March 31, 2006 4:49 PM
