Can I Vacuum my PC: What are the dangers?

So it’s time to clean your computer, and you’re considering using a vacuum to clean it.

It’s best practice not to vacuum your computer & use cans of compressed air duster instead. When dust particles in dry air rub against a surface, they create static electricity. This action can happen directly on the electronics or, more commonly, on the vacuum nozzle where it transfers to your body.

As you probably know, static electricity is hazardous to electronics but did you know that the amount of static electricity needed to damage electronics is minimal? Unfortunately, that means even the smaller charges built up on the electronics can be problematic.

Where does the static electricity come from?

One of the ways that static electricity is generated is when two objects are rubbed together. If the environment is dry and the materials are of the right type, one object gives up electrons to the other. That creates a positive charge on one of them and a negative charge on the other.

You may have memories of creating this situation by dragging your socked feet on the carpet and discharging the static on a sibling. Or perhaps you’ve used a balloon to build up charge in your hair. The same action is taking place in these examples.

It turns out that dust found in your computer, depending on the types of particulate in it, happens to be one of the materials that support this phenomenon. When the dust is picked up and suspended in moving air, if it comes into contact with another material that supports this action, the same phenomenon occurs.

An extreme example of this is when sand blowing in a desert environment comes into a billboard sign constructed of the right materials. In this case, the wind carrying sand can build up a very significant charge on the sign.

When using a vacuum, the most significant charge normally gets built up on the plastic nozzle. From there, it can transfer to your body, increasing the points where static electricity can get to your computer.

It’s also possible for smaller charges to build upon the circuit boards of your computer if the vacuuming action creates the situation where dust particles are pulled across the board and over components made of static compatible materials.

What is the impact of static to computers?

The main impact of static exposure to computers is the damage it causes to transistors. Computer circuits are made out of millions of small transistors, which are fundamental to their operation. They’re microscopic in size and are built into thin wafers of silicon crystal or glass. This thin, thin silicon is what ends up getting damaged.

Normally there are charges on one side of the silicon and ground on the other, and as long as it doesn’t exceed a certain threshold, the silicon can perform its function for many years.

However, if the threshold is exceeded, like when a significant static charge is present, the voltage can jump through the silicon crystal to ground, typically putting a hole through it or causing a crack. Once this happens, the transistor is no longer able to function properly.

An additional way static electricity can impact transistors is if the silicon gets damaged but isn’t completely broken. Your computer may continue to operate in a degraded state but then eventually fail at some point in the future.

You may think that your computer failed for a different reason or that perhaps you were unlucky when really it was exposure to static charges in the past that caused it to fail. In general, you want to limit or eliminate the exposure your computer has to static electricity to protect it.

What kinds of vacuums can I use to vacuum a computer?

Several different solutions have been developed to enable the vacuuming of computers while limiting or eliminating static electricity generated as a byproduct. They’re normally found at specialty electronics shops that cater to businesses.

Often the costs are prohibitive for the average computer owner. However, while these vacuums get rid of the vast majority of the risk associated with static electricity and vacuuming electronics, it’s not eliminated.

Other techniques for improving computer circuit robustness can help mitigate the remaining risk. For example, methods such as applying a protective coating over all circuit boards called conformal coating or the hardening of input circuits.

Most manufacturers do this today, and some countries have regulations that specify these measures are required. Hence, most computers today have the ability to handle some static electricity. That being said, they are meant to be the last line of protection, not a feature to allow computer vacuuming.

One vacuum design approach for addressing the static build-up is to try and ground the vacuum nozzle and hose. This can be an effective way of managing the static that collects in the apparatus. It’s able to deal with a source of static electricity before it can cause damage or be transferred to your body, where you may inadvertently release it, causing damage.

Some vacuum designs are focused on eliminating any possible build-up of charge that may come from sparking or moving components in a motor-driven vacuum. So instead, they use a compressed air system coupled with the Bernoulli principle to create suction. While they would still need a nozzle and hose grounding system to be completely effective, this technique takes the effort to another level.

What can I clean my PC with?

You can clean the outside of your computer case by wiping it with a dry microfiber cloth. If you need to use something wet, it’s best to slightly dampen the microfiber cloth and use that to wipe it down. This goes for your keyboard and mouse as well.

Monitors often don’t do so well when it comes to household solvents. If you can’t get by using the microfiber cloth, either dry or slightly damp, your local electronics shop should have solvents that are appropriate for monitors.

The best approach for cleaning the inside of your PC is to use air dusters. They are compressed air that you can buy in cans from your local electronics shop. The benefit they provide is the ability to use short bursts of air to get the dust away from your computer circuits while minimizing the creation of static electricity.

The downside is that this approach is very messy. You will need to find an area in your garage or outside that is suitable for the mess you’re going to create.

I also use air dusters to blow out all electronic ports, fan grills, and power supplies. Be sure to hold your fans still when you do this. A spinning fan motor becomes a small generator that can back feed damaging power into your computer.

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