Static and Electronics Don't Mix

LAS VEGAS - You can learn the strangest things around the show floor. While checking out some LCDs at the Westinghouse Digital booth, I picked up a shock by touching a shelf. I told the rep that I was surprised this hadn't happened more often, and she said that people came by regularly to mist the carpet with some kind of anti-static spray.

Later, on one of the shuttles, a guy with Logitech provided more details. The best anti-static spray, he said, is basically Downy fabric softener diluted with water (you can buy commercial stuff made just for the task, but apparently it smells too chemical). He added that you do need to stay on top of static, or the charge built up in such a dry environment can short out components - like the Pocket PC that he once accidentally zapped.

By Rob Pegoraro |  January 10, 2007; 2:50 PM ET  | Category:  CES 2007 , Rob Pegoraro
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