Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)If possible, I would RATE THIS ITEM 2.5 STARS
The "StarTech M3013 24x26 Desktop Anti-Static Mat" by Star Tech arrived as a generic product and as of 16 Mar 2010, unlike what is being displayed and advertised on Amazon (see photo). The mat, out of the Amazon box, was packaged in a crude plastic wrap (see photo) with no specific manufacturer's name or users guide. A paper sticker on the plastic wrap says "Made in Taiwan", but no manufacturer or makers mark is on the product, making this generic electrical mat untraceable.
With traceability of the product not possible, the electrical properties of the mat remain a relative unknown. As an electrical lab product, in it's current form, this item cannot be used as an anti-static/ESD device for or on any program that requires product traceability and documented electrical properties such as in an ISO, MIL, FED, ASTM, ASE, ESD or level4/class 100K Cleanroom and or higher lab space.
Using a Fluke 187 DVM, the mat measures infinite ohms and non conductive. The supplied coiled 1M ohm snap on alligator clip measured 0.9998M ohm (see photo). This snap on 1M ohm conductor is intended to be attached to a person and not between the mat and the hardware. The mat should be connected to earth ground or placed on a grounded surface. Given the supplied hardware, mat and coiled 1M ohm clip, the end user will be inclined to configure this product incorrectly.
With the supplied coiled 1M ohm conductor snapped to the mat and alligator clip attached to the hardware placed on the mat, the mat may not be at zero potential and earth ground, but at best, sitting on a floating ground or worse, at a high potential.
To properly configure, this product should include a snap on lead for attaching the mat to an earth ground or grounded ESD bench. The 1M ohm coiled conductor with attached alligator clip should then be attached between the hardware on the mat and to a wrist strap on the person working on the hardware. At minimum, and to help mitigate confusion, the coiled 1M ohm alligator clip and conductor should be replaced with a simple snap on ground lead.
The best solution would be to supply a ground lead for the mat, and a wrist strap for the coiled 1M ohm conductor with the attached alligator clip. For an example of a complete solution, see the "Anti-Static Hardware Kit by ESD SYSTEMS" listed on Amazon.
Given that this product, as supplied, does not satisfy the intended electrical purpose, the generic nature of the product, the lack of specifications and traceability to the nature of the rudimentary packaging and lack of documentation, consider this product at $22.23, $44.16 retail to be over priced and overvalued.
Minus 1.00 for supplying an ineffective hardware solution set.
Minus 0.50 for providing a generic product different from what is advertised.
Minus 0.50 for no traceability of the generic mat's origin and electrical properties.
Minus 0.25 for no manufactures I.D. or mark on an electrical product.
Minus 0.25 for not supplying a user guide.
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StarTech M3013 24x26 Desktop Anti-Static MatProduct Description: Computer equipment is extremely sensitive to static electricity. For instance, static discharge can render RAM unusable if not protected against. The StarTech M3013 24x26 Desktop Anti-Static Mat protects your valuable computer equipment by exceeding IBM and US military static control standards.
The mat is made of static dissipative material rather than the ineffective conductive system. It is 26 x 24 (WxL) and is designed to be placed under the CPU/VDT and keyboard. It lies flat and has a rubber back the prevents it from slipping. A 10-foot grounding cord is included. The StarTech M3013 24x26 Desktop Anti-Static Mat is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
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