Why do I get shocks while working on PCs?

[NunoLava1998]

I don't really understand. I can't work on PCs without getting some shocks, even if it's fully unplugged for minutes or hours. For some reason, nobody else has this problem and they can work just fine. It's not my brain making it up, I definitely feel them. Why does this happen to only me? I'm quite confused.

I don't wear anti-static wristbands (as if that would matter, and I do ground myself frequently anyway), but none of the people who help me do shit on PCs when I can't do that have them too.

Can anyone explain how the fuck to get rid of these, because I would like working on PCs without getting shocks for no reason and it's honestly quite annoying

 

(Sidenote, this doesn't happen on parts that haven't been powered on or inserted into the PC at all, obviously)

[Ja Krispie]

Because you aren't properly grounded. You at minimum need to touch the power supply or ground yourself with an ESD strap

[NunoLava1998]

Just now, Psybadek said:

Because you aren't properly grounded. You at minimum need to touch the power supply or ground yourself with an ESD strap

Thing is, I have people who help me with PCs and they don't wear these at all and they feel absolutely nothing, which is weird.

I'll look into getting one however

[Ja Krispie]

Just now, NunoLava1998 said:

Thing is, I have people who help me with PCs and they don't wear these at all and they feel absolutely nothing, which is weird.

I'll look into getting one however

I don't wear them except when I'm at work working in a data center (It's a huge no no not to wear one in a data center.) It sounds like you just build up more static charge than most people. I do occasionally but I never had a problem with my own computers or someone elses to work on without one. Is there certain scenarios where this happens like working on carpet, in socks, ect ect?

[Atra1n2]

Sometimes after you unplug a PC, some residual power can remain. You can usually dissipate by holding the power button for a moment. Some have enough residual power to illuminate the power button before fully dissipating.

[NunoLava1998]

1 minute ago, Psybadek said:

I don't wear them except when I'm at work working in a data center (It's a huge no no not to wear one in a data center.) It sounds like you just build up more static charge than most people. I do occasionally but I never had a problem with my own computers or someone elses to work on without one. Is there certain scenarios where this happens like working on carpet, in socks, ect ect?

I did work on my PC and got the shocks while wearing socks, and I do build up quite a lot of static charge, so I'll look into getting one x2.

Where can you buy one? Do hardware stores have them

 

[TempestCatto]

Always wear shoes, don't just be in socks. Make sure the clothing you're wearing isn't overly staticy (like fleece), the ESD strap is a must. Dry environment can lead to more conductivity in the air (like in winter time), so be extra cautious in that weather. Since I tent to have oily hands, I wear ESD gloves as well, they could help too, but aren't really necessary.

[TempestCatto]

ESD Strap (same one I have) https://www.amazon.com/d/Desk-Pads-Blotters/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding/B0002QKMEG

[Guest]

your clothes generate static?

[Ja Krispie]

1 minute ago, NunoLava1998 said:

I did work on my PC and got the shocks while wearing socks, and I do build up quite a lot of static charge, so I'll look into getting one x2.

Where can you buy one? Do hardware stores have them

 

You can find an ESD strap everywhere. Best Buy has them if you want one quickly, or Amazon. I get mine from work but I know Amazon has them

[TempestCatto]

Just now, Neftex said:

your clothes generate static?

Oh yes. That's why people use dryer sheets when they put their clothes in the dryer, because all that dry heat allows for more conductivity. You can sometimes hear the static shocks between clothes when you handle them after they've been in the dryer.

[Ja Krispie]

1 minute ago, Neftex said:

your clothes generate static?

Here's some info:

 

https://jh399.k12.sd.us/DailyAssign/Physics/ch7materialstaticelec.pdf

[Guest]

Just now, TempestCatto said:

Oh yes. That's why people use dryer sheets when they put their clothes in the dryer, because all that dry heat allows for more conductivity. You can sometimes hear the static shocks between clothes when you handle them after they've been in the dryer.

i guess it wasnt obvious, i didnt react to you, just suggesting why hes getting shocks

[Ja Krispie]

2 minutes ago, TempestCatto said:

ESD Strap (same one I have) https://www.amazon.com/d/Desk-Pads-Blotters/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding/B0002QKMEG

That's a solid one. Also if you don't have one it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a cheap multimeter just to check the strap to make sure it's still working (ohm setting to test)

[TempestCatto]

Just now, Neftex said:

i guess it wasnt obvious, i didnt react to you, just suggesting why hes getting shocks

Probs should've written that out more and turned it into a factual statement. But at least the info is there now.

[Ja Krispie]

Here's a few options for MM if you don't already have one.

 

https://smile.amazon.com/Neoteck-Multimeter-Multimeters-Resistance-Transistor/dp/B01NAVAT9S/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1547915778&sr=8-8&keywords=cheap+multi+meter

 

https://smile.amazon.com/Electrical-Test-Klein-Tools-69149/dp/B07BVXBQJD/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1547915778&sr=8-7&keywords=cheap+multi+meter

 

https://smile.amazon.com/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage-Tester/dp/B01ISAMUA6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1547915656&sr=8-4&keywords=cheap+multi+meter

 

These are all failry in expensive and will do the job. If you want to go more fancy I guess you can get the one I have lol

 

https://smile.amazon.com/Fluke-EDA2-Industrial-Electronics-Multimeter/dp/B00012Z0V6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547916001&sr=8-3&keywords=Fluke%2B179&th=1

 

Definitely not needed just for checking ESD straps though. I'd probably recomment the Neoteck one I linked

[Guest]

2 hours ago, NunoLava1998 said:

I don't really understand. I can't work on PCs without getting some shocks, even if it's fully unplugged for minutes or hours. For some reason, nobody else has this problem and they can work just fine. It's not my brain making it up, I definitely feel them. Why does this happen to only me? I'm quite confused.

I don't wear anti-static wristbands (as if that would matter, and I do ground myself frequently anyway), but none of the people who help me do shit on PCs when I can't do that have them too.

Can anyone explain how the fuck to get rid of these, because I would like working on PCs without getting shocks for no reason and it's honestly quite annoying

 

(Sidenote, this doesn't happen on parts that haven't been powered on or inserted into the PC at all, obviously)

You're not grounded.

 

The PC chassis is grounded when it's plugged into a grounded outlet.

 

If you're unplugging the PC chassis, the chassis isn't grounded.

 

If you want to work on an unplugged PC but still want to be grounded, I suggest taking a power cord, breaking off the hot and neutral prongs leaving only the Earth ground and then plugging that into your outlet.

 

Alternately, if your PSU has a power switch, leave it plugged in but in the "off" position.  This will kill the hot and neutral but maintain the ground (since the ground wire goes straight from the plug input to a chassis ground point).

 

[NunoLava1998]

17 minutes ago, jonnyGURU said:

You're not grounded.

 

The PC chassis is grounded when it's plugged into a grounded outlet.

 

If you're unplugging the PC chassis, the chassis isn't grounded.

 

If you want to work on an unplugged PC but still want to be grounded, I suggest taking a power cord, breaking off the hot and neutral prongs leaving only the Earth ground and then plugging that into your outlet.

 

Alternately, if your PSU has a power switch, leave it plugged in but in the "off" position.  This will kill the hot and neutral but maintain the ground (since the ground wire goes straight from the plug input to a chassis ground point).

 

What about an ESD strap? Or do I need to do both?

[TempestCatto]

5 minutes ago, NunoLava1998 said:

What about an ESD strap? Or do I need to do both?

Pretty sure it's both, at least that's how I've always done it.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, NunoLava1998 said:

What about an ESD strap? Or do I need to do both?

ESD strap does nothing if it's not grounded.

 

 

[NunoLava1998]

Alright, bought one from Amazon (they're not available at the local hardware stores here for some reason). Went for a full kit with a ESD strap included, as I didn't want to get something that didn't work at all (as is with some).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000I2JX3A

[NunoLava1998]

Sidenote: I live in Portugal (Madeira Island) so while there are large hardware stores here, they just didn't happen to have any ESD/antistatic straps.

There are multimeters available, but the kit I bought had nothing on the reviews saying that it actually didn't work (if it's one of the fake ones, it typically has a few negative reviews saying that it is fake) so that's 10-20€ saved. Plus, no idea on how to use one lol

[NunoLava1998]

yay it arrived

[NunoLava1998]

Also, the shocks I experience is unpleasant, but not anything to throw me backwards. It feels as if electricity is coming from the PC, not that electricity is being discharged.

I live in Portugal, so I'm guessing my area is 240V.

I've heard that the shocks do vary depending if it's static, 9V, 24V, 120V, 240V, 480V, 50,000V, etc.

[TempestCatto]

7 hours ago, NunoLava1998 said:

Also, the shocks I experience is unpleasant, but not anything to throw me backwards. It feels as if electricity is coming from the PC, not that electricity is being discharged.

I live in Portugal, so I'm guessing my area is 240V.

I've heard that the shocks do vary depending if it's static, 9V, 24V, 120V, 240V, 480V, 50,000V, etc.

You should always make sure anything you're working on is powered off, and the power supply switch to off, but leave it plugged in. Then connect the alligator clamp of your anti static strap to any bare metal place inside your pc case (and of course ware the strap. lol).