Can a metal 2.5" to 3.5" mount short circuit an HDD?

[MatthewGB]

I have an HDD where the back of it has what appears to be an exposed PCB. This came from a laptop and I'm installing it in my desktop. The mount I intend to use fixes onto the bottom of the HDD, and I think it could cause a short-circuit since the PCB and metal mount would be pushed against each other. Does the bottom of the HDD have some kind of protective layer, or would this short circuit it?

 

[mcnumpty23]

most hard drives have the pcb exposed at the back of them its pretty standard

 

[kittle]

Carefully put the mounting bracket on your HDD and see if there is space between the PCB and the metal bracket. If it looks like the HDD PCB will touch your mounting bracket, then dont use it. HDDs do not have a protective layer like what you are asking.

You should be able to get a PC-sized mounting bracket for ultra-cheap: $5-$8
Since the HDD came from your laptop im assuming you will want a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter.

 

[Shaun o]

In answer to your question yes they can.

On most drives the circuit control board and I/O interface of the drive sit on the underside of the drive it`s self.
The bare circuit points touching any form of metal will short circuit the control board Matthew.

If for example you have ever removed a 2.5" laptop hard disk drive you will see a light weight shroud made of tin or aluminium, if you unscrew this from the 2.5" drive you will always see a thin plastic sheet between the drive and the base of the tin or aluminium shroud.

And should use or put some thing non conductive between the base of the mount and the circuit board of the drive.
Clear tape, a thin plastic layer, card paper, acetate sheet or any other thing that is plastic and thin.

I`m glad you had the wisdom to think about it being a problem Matthew.
You obviously pay good attention to what you are doing.

Just out of intrest, FYI. yes I have seen people short circuit drives by doing the exact same thing as putting the drive circuit controller board directly down on to a bare metal surface.

 

[dudio]

There are exposed solder joints, etc on the bottom of the hard drive that could short out. If you look at the bottom edges of the hard drive where the mount holes are that you intend to use tho, you'll see the edge rail has slightly grater clearance than the components and PCB. To be sure, lay a straight-edge (ruler) across the 2 edge rails and confirm that everything is below the edge rails of the hard drive. If so, and it should be, then just make sure the mount is truly flat and that nothing protrudes up enough above where it mounts to the hard drive edge rails.

 

[mcnumpty23]

There are exposed solder joints, etc on the bottom of the hard drive that could short out. If you look at the bottom edges of the hard drive where the mount holes are that you intend to use tho, you'll see the edge rail has slightly grater clearance than the components and PCB. To be sure, lay a straight-edge (ruler) across the 2 edge rails and confirm that everything is below the edge rails of the hard drive. If so, and it should be, then just make sure the mount is truly flat and that nothing protrudes up enough above where it mounts to the hard drive edge rails.

that was very well explained in my opinion

 

[MatthewGB]

After looking carefully, it appears that the edge rails are around half a mm raised above the PCB. I wouldn't risk trying to mount it with a metal bracket, I'll order a plastic one. I thought there would be a standard of integrating a thin, non-conductive sheet on the PCB, but apparently not.

Thanks for you help everyone.