I also asked another engineer here after posting the question.  He took the
tongue in cheek view that 'Well, technically, you could do a lot of damage
with a magnetic screwdriver by smashing a component with it - and magnetic
hammers are even worse...' he also said, ' Induced current from a moving
field is theoretically a potential risk, but that screwdriver would probably
have to be going about Mach 2 to have any effect '
It was good for a laugh this morning.
Frankly this co has been around for over 15 years and I'm pretty sure we
have used magnetic screwdrivers for most or all of that time.  Albeit,
components keep getting smaller and smaller and more sensitive, but I think
I am leaning towards the 'it is not an issue' side.  The only time it MIGHT
be an issue is if the screwdriver was right on or beside a component that
was in the process of being programmed, and then I would be more concerned
that the screwdriver was going to slip and short something...

-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Evans [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 24-Mar-05 9:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Magnetic screwdrivers


We have had this same question come up and we never received a definitive
answer.

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