So having lurked on these forums for quite some time now i finally decided to to register (hello everybody )
Putting that aside for a moment though, when i was recently checking a local online store for any deals, i stumbled upon a (way overpriced) key tronic keyboard whose label caught my attention.
At first, i just thought they where talking about the switches themselves, but after goggling a little i found out that this 'electrostatic discharge capability' was apparently a technology patented by Key tronic in 1992.
http://www.google.com/patents/US5335137
So has anyone heard about this before? I sure haven't and does that mean i can discharge myself by just touching the space bar? I didn't really get it.
Oh, and please excuse my bad English.
Found a weird thing on an old Key tronic keyboard
- chzel
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Main keyboard: Phantom
- Main mouse: Mionix Avior 7000
- Favorite switch: Beamspring, BS, Vintage Blacks.
- DT Pro Member: 0086
Welcome!
Probably this is a specialty keyboard for use in environments where ESD protection is paramount. Even moving around on your chair can create a static charge of tens of kV and many electronic devices can easily be destroyed by a couple of hundred Volts (MOSFETS for example). So conductive wrist-straps are used along with conductive workmats and shoe-straps, etc. so you don't accumulate a charge. Of course everything is conductive through a resistance (usually 1MΩ) to avoid fried technicians.
Probably this is a specialty keyboard for use in environments where ESD protection is paramount. Even moving around on your chair can create a static charge of tens of kV and many electronic devices can easily be destroyed by a couple of hundred Volts (MOSFETS for example). So conductive wrist-straps are used along with conductive workmats and shoe-straps, etc. so you don't accumulate a charge. Of course everything is conductive through a resistance (usually 1MΩ) to avoid fried technicians.
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- Location: Sundsvall, Sweden
- Main keyboard: SUH 105DA W39-463
- Main mouse: AeroCool Templarius Gladiator
- Favorite switch: Dont know (yet)
- DT Pro Member: -
Didn't think it looked that special, but after taking a closer look it seems to have a lightning legend on the space bar.
If its true, then it might at least explain its unusually high price for an 10 year old, non-mechanical, keyboard.
Still don't think i'am buying it though
If its true, then it might at least explain its unusually high price for an 10 year old, non-mechanical, keyboard.
Still don't think i'am buying it though
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- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
- DT Pro Member: 0011
The space bar is connected to shield. That's it ... It shouldn't cost more than 10 Euros.
An old Key Tronic I have has a mushy feel. But my ErgoForce and my OEM keyboard (smaller and flatter) are not, and the ErgoForce has that kind of space bar. The good Key Tronic rubber dome/membrane keyboards last long and keep their feel.
An old Key Tronic I have has a mushy feel. But my ErgoForce and my OEM keyboard (smaller and flatter) are not, and the ErgoForce has that kind of space bar. The good Key Tronic rubber dome/membrane keyboards last long and keep their feel.
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- Location: Sundsvall, Sweden
- Main keyboard: SUH 105DA W39-463
- Main mouse: AeroCool Templarius Gladiator
- Favorite switch: Dont know (yet)
- DT Pro Member: -
And he wants ~40 euro + shipment... and like i said i am not paying that.
Its just that i have never seen such a feature on a keyboard before, so thanks for clearing it up.
Its just that i have never seen such a feature on a keyboard before, so thanks for clearing it up.
- chzel
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Main keyboard: Phantom
- Main mouse: Mionix Avior 7000
- Favorite switch: Beamspring, BS, Vintage Blacks.
- DT Pro Member: 0086
Yes, but the spacebar itself is not conductive.
So the wire prevents the key from accumulating a charge, but does not discharge your body.
As, for the KeyTronic, being ESD-safe means it targets a very specific niche market, and that drives the price up.
For example a simple antistatic mat ~A3 in size easily costs 50€.
So the wire prevents the key from accumulating a charge, but does not discharge your body.
As, for the KeyTronic, being ESD-safe means it targets a very specific niche market, and that drives the price up.
For example a simple antistatic mat ~A3 in size easily costs 50€.
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- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
- DT Pro Member: 0011
Nah.. Every Key Tronic ErgoForce I've seen have had the antistatic Space Bar.
BTW, I've worked at a place that had an antistatic floor.
BTW, I've worked at a place that had an antistatic floor.