Anti-Static Quicke

[Rollergold]

Not sure if this is right section but anyway since very little of my house is not carpeted I decided to laid down one of those plastic chair mats around my wooden work table so basically my question is:

It's known touching a plugged in (but switched off) PSU can ground you. But would that still hold true if you alligator clipped your anti-static wrist band to a painted metal part of the case that had an plugged in (but switched off) PSU installed in it?

[Guest]

Yes - a ground connection is by law required in most countries to be kept constant regardless if there is an active current.

[El_indian]

I'm sure i've heard Linus say NOT to ever have your PSU plugged in when working with components; even is it's switched off at the wall.

I can't find the video...

Maybe somebody can correct me...?

[Morfy]

I'm sure i've heard Linus say NOT to ever have your PSU plugged in when working with components; even is it's switched off at the wall.

I can't find the video...

Maybe somebody can correct me...?

no, he said that you can touch a switched off PSU but which is plugged in the wall to ground yourself

[the_devil52]

You're supposed to have the anti-static wrist strap connected to an unpainted part of your case.

[ProGearUk]

Ye the crocodile clip on your case will be fine as long as the psu is in the case but switched off. I managed to break a motherboard about 2 years ago by not grounding myself. I was so annoyed :(. Make sure that you touch the screws on a plug socket as well just for safety. Also ensure that the anti static wristband is connected properly and the wristband is tight around your wrist or ankle. This ensures that the anti static wristband works. Be careful and DO NOT put the motherboard on top of the anti-static bag that it comes in because the outside of that anti-static bag IS CONDUCTIve and may cause your motherboard to break.

[Art Vandelay]

I'm sure i've heard Linus say NOT to ever have your PSU plugged in when working with components; even is it's switched off at the wall.

I can't find the video...

Maybe somebody can correct me...?

Nope, you are supposed to have you PSU plugged in and off. It will ground that way.

[mgsstar]

Yea you will still ground yourself with the aligator clip on the painted part of the case with the psu plugged in but switched off.

[LinusTech]

Someone PMed this thread to me, so I'll just weigh in one more time:

PSU plugged into the wall

PSU switched off

This allows you to easily and quickly ground yourself on the PSU without wearing an annoying wrist strap while you're building (do it constantly... Every time you move or touch anything basically) but avoids any mishaps where the board decides to magically power itself on while you're inserting a PCIe card or something (have had this happen a few times lol)

[Rollergold]

Someone PMed this thread to me, so I'll just weigh in one more time:

PSU plugged into the wall

PSU switched off

This allows you to easily and quickly ground yourself on the PSU without wearing an annoying wrist strap while you're building (do it constantly... Every time you move or touch anything basically) but avoids any mishaps where the board decides to magically power itself on while you're inserting a PCIe card or something (have had this happen a few times lol)

I understand that method Linus, I just was wondering if the paint on a case would block the grounding connection since I like using the strap as it allows me to move around without having to retouch the psu.

[lubblig]

Where on the PSU are you suppose to touch? Anywhere or is there any special things like screws or something?

[Oisin Maguire]

Where on the PSU are you suppose to touch? Anywhere or is there any special things like screws or something?

The entire exterior of the power supply is earthed, so anywhere

[Oisin Maguire]

Someone PMed this thread to me, so I'll just weigh in one more time:

PSU plugged into the wall

PSU switched off

This allows you to easily and quickly ground yourself on the PSU without wearing an annoying wrist strap while you're building (do it constantly... Every time you move or touch anything basically) but avoids any mishaps where the board decides to magically power itself on while you're inserting a PCIe card or something (have had this happen a few times lol)

The dielectric constant of all paints is really low especially the old lead based stuff :-) , so your grand with touching the side of your case as long as your touching the metal parts and not the plastic parts.

[lubblig]

Where on the PSU are you suppose to touch? Anywhere or is there any special things like screws or something?

Ok, thank you!