Can you discharge static from computer components?

[Luke]

So the whole point of using a anti-static wrist wrap or anti-static bag is to avoid static build up on sensitive components so that way when you plug them in they don't just die from the ESD. Correct? 

 

Well i'm wondering if there is a way to discharge the static built up on a component before plugging it? I'm curious f it's sort of similar to how you can get a motherboard wet but as long as you let it completely dry and don't plug it in until you do so it should work fine.

 

Thanks any help is much appreciated!

 

EDIT: To clarify and simplify my question, If i bought a computer component that was packaged in a plastic bag would there be a way to safely discharge the static that has been generated by the plastic bag on the video card before installing it into my PC and having it die from ESD?

[Tedster]

The strap will be connected to something grounded allowing you to dissipate any static without it doing anything bad...?

[blackadder]

Touch a psu plugged in but, not on. Honestly before i touched fuses at work i would kneel and touch the ground.

[MountainDrew]

I just touched my case periodically to discharge any static that had built up when I was building my PC.  The primary danger in killing components with static comes from the person handling the components, not from the components themselves (as far as I know).  

 

And an anti-static strap is nice but it's not needed.

[Luke]

The strap will be connected to something grounded allowing you to dissipate any static without it doing anything bad...?

 

 

Touch a psu plugged in but, not on. Honestly before i touched fuses at work i would kneel and touch the ground.

 

 

I just touched my case periodically to discharge any static that had built up when I was building my PC.  The primary danger in killing components with static comes from the person handling the components, not from the components themselves (as far as I know).  

 

And an anti-static strap is nice but it's not needed.

 

 

Thanks for the replies but i'm not asking how to discharge static from myself or avoid static damage to components while building a PC. My question is for example if i purchased a video card that was wrapped in a plastic bag, Would there be a way to discharge the static that the bag has generated on the card before installing it into the computer?

[blackadder]

Thanks for the replies but i'm not asking how to avoid static while building a PC. My question is for example if i purchased a video card that was wrapped in a plastic bag, Would there be a way to discharge the static before installing it into the computer?

when you touch it will be discharged. it shouldn't have any meaningful charge while in the bag. if you really worried touch the psu, this discharges you, grab the gpu, for all intensive purposes you are now one with the gpu, touch psu, just to be crazy safe, install. 

[W-L]

Thanks for the replies but i'm not asking how to avoid static while building a PC. My question is for example if i purchased a video card that was wrapped in a plastic bag, Would there be a way to discharge the static before installing it into the computer?

 

Not that i know of, since it will a bit difficult having to ground every connection on the card before installing, However any charge that is on the card should only be kept on the capacitors if they have not drained throughout transport after testing from the factory. So the charge shouldn't be anywhere close to damaging or cause any issues. from my knowledge.

[Luke]

Thanks everyone for the replies!