Static band necessary for CPU cooler installation?

[swissness]

Would it be necessary to use a static band for installing a CPU heatsink and fan, or would it be safe to simply leave the computer plugged in to an outlet and touch the case while installing to remove static. 

 

Curious as I have never messed around inside my system before.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[Aniallation]

Nah, just work on a hard surface. If you really want to be sure then keep it plugged in with the PSU power switch off but you don't need anything more then that

[EarthboundHero]

Would it be necessary to use a static band for installing a CPU heatsink and fan, or would it be safe to simply leave the computer plugged in to an outlet and touch the case while installing to remove static. 

 

Curious as I have never messed around inside my system before.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies!

You'll be fine without one, most likely. But if you're really cautious you can put one one.

[Geekazoid]

I personally wouldn't leave it plugged in EVEN WITH the PSU power switched off. It doesn't seem that safe to me. :unsure:

[loccilucas]

I personally wouldn't leave it plugged in EVEN WITH the PSU power switched off. It doesn't seem that safe to me. :unsure:

It needs to be plugged in to be able to earth yourself.

[Geekazoid]

It needs to be plugged in to be able to earth yourself.

I've never heard of that? :unsure:

[loccilucas]

I've never heard of that? :unsure:

That's why you have it plugged it when you mess around inside your case.

When you touch the metal of your PSU or case, your static electricity travels down your arm- into the case- into the PSU- down the wire-into the ground. Thus getting rid of all your static electic (earthing yourself) making it safe to touch computer parts.

[Geekazoid]

That's why you have it plugged it when you mess around inside your case.

When you touch the metal of your PSU or case, your static electricity travels down your arm- into the case- into the PSU- down the wire-into the ground. Thus getting rid of all your static electic (earthing yourself) making it safe to touch computer parts.

Hmm...well I've always just unplugged everything and moved the case somewhere else, opened it up, touched the outer metal parts of the case and then proceeded to install or remove any components. I've actually been think about getting a Wrist Strap to better ground myself with.

[loccilucas]

Hmm...well I've always just unplugged everything and moved the case somewhere else, opened it up, touched the outer metal parts of the case and then proceeded to install or remove any components. I've actually been think about getting a Wrist Strap to better ground myself with.

Yeah touching the case while it's unplugged isnt gonna do anythjg, because the static will just go through the case back into your hand. You can just touch anything metal connected to the ground if you wanna keep your pc unplugged, I touch a radiator most the time (central heating radiator not pc rad)

[Geekazoid]

Yeah touching the case while it's unplugged isnt gonna do anythjg, because the static will just go through the case back into your hand. You can just touch anything metal connected to the ground if you wanna keep your pc unplugged, I touch a radiator most the time (central heating radiator not pc rad)

Hmm...well I've done the same thing for as long as I can remember, so this gives me some food for thought.

[figment]

I know it sounds silly to leave the plug in, but it really is part of the PSU design to handle exactly what people are saying here.

 

Every PC I've worked uses the metal frame of the case as the shared ground (earth, for UK-taught enthusiasts) for the system. The primary grounding comes from the ground wires which run from PSU to motherboard to every other component, but there are additional ground paths through the motherboard standoffs to the case frame and from the frame to the rear connection panel and back to the PSU frame. The point --as its been described to me-- is to remove the possibility of any voltage potential between the case and the ground used on the motherboard. If this wasn't done, you could cause all sorts of problems when a charge built up on the case, and traveled into the components via their mounting screws or their connector plates.

 

End result: the case frame is defined as the safe ground for the system. When the PSU is plugged in, the case frame is connected via PSU to the ground line of the local electrical system, and touching the case gives you the same safety as seeking out a house radiator (virtually all metal plumbing is connected to the house ground) or other local-ground method.

 

When I'm working on a system, I usually try to keep contact with some portion of the case frame, even it its just part of my leg. I've been preferring smaller and smaller cases, so over the years it's getting pretty hard not to.

 

Playing around with electronics that are plugged in does feel weird, at first. Just don't go around licking your motherboard and you'll be fine.