Electrostatic Discharge

STATIC DISCHARGE DAMAGE
Automotive computers and related component operate at very low voltages--3 to 5 Volts--and are extremely susceptible to damage from static electrical discharge.
^ Voltages as low as 12 volts can damage electronic circuits--for a person to feel a static discharge "ZAP", it takes up to 4,000 volts.
^ There is no way to know whether the charge is positive or negative.

COMMON METHODS OF STATIC CHARGING
Friction
Friction between organic materials--i.e.. cotton or leather--and synthetics--i.e.. plastic, vinyl, or glass--generate static charges as high as 25,000 volts. Simply sliding across a car seat or wearing a cotton shirt under a nylon coat.

Induction
Charging by induction occurs when a person standing near a highly charged object--strong magnetic field such as a transformer--momentarily touches ground. Like charges are displaced to ground--leaving the person highly charged with opposite polarity.

STATIC PRECAUTIONS
Static charges are gradually equalized by moisture in the air, but are retained much longer when humidity is low.
Ground yourself--by touching ground or wearing a ground strap--when handling and testing electronic components.