Is Static Electricity Discharge a consideration for the iPhone?

[novice_mac]

Good day,

Please let me preface this by saying I'm not an electrical engineer, so I won't pretend to understand that field's related mechanisms.

My question is regarding whether static electricity is something to take precautions against in taking care of an iPhone, or its peripherals.

In regards to its peripherals, specifically the lightning cable - can you discharge static electricity onto the lightning cable and thereby damage the cable and any iOS device it connects to?

Thanks for any response.

 

[pigoo3]

I think that with the number of iPhones out in the world (millions & millions). If this were an issue...we would all know about it. Could probably extend this logic to all smartphones (not just iPhones).

- Nick

 

[novice_mac]

I think that with the number of iPhones out in the world (millions & millions). If this were an issue...we would all know about it. Could probably extend this logic to all smartphones (not just iPhones).

- Nick

Maybe I'm worrying too much.

I normally charge my iPhone on my Mac Mini.

Occasionally I use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the debris (dust, etc) from the contacts on the Lightning Cable (while it's plugged into the Mac Mini). I recently learned microfiber cloths can generate static, so I was worried I had been discharging static onto the Lightning Cable, and thusly onto the Mac Mini - and eventually onto my iPhone.

Do you think that's a viable concern? I understand USB cables commonly have ground wires, but Mac Mini's don't commonly have ground plugs.

 

[pigoo3]

My thought is I don't think that we need to be concerned about it. If it was an issue...I'm sure the Apple would have designed power cords with 3-prong power cables/plugs (with ground).

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

My question is regarding whether static electricity is something to take precautions against in taking care of an iPhone, or its peripherals.

Anything electronic can be damaged by Static Electricity, but good design keeps them pretty safe except for abnormal jolts, like a close lightning strike, would be a good example, or if they are being worked on and disassembled from their normal protective case.

The outside cable conductor of any connected cable should be able to neutralize any static potential differences as well as the human body that would probably be in contact with any of them.

As Nick says, not a concern for normal user use.





- Patrick
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