How would you ground yourself safely?

[AgentL3r]

Hello all!

 

I'm soon going to be building my first gaming rig, and my primary concern is static buildup.

 

I understand the risk of static buildup, and that it's safe to wear an anti-static wriststrap, but I'm utterly confused as to where to attach the end of the alligator clip... Some say a PSU plugged into the wall but turned off, others say the case, but which is safer?

 

If it helps, here are some details:

• The floor will most likely be carpet
• The desk I will be building on will be made of wood with metal pieces on the side and plastic wheels
• I will most likely be wearing socks because my feet get cold easily
• I do have a radiator nearby, which is another recommended point to connect to
• I will be wearing an anti-static wriststrap

I thank you all for the help, and this is my first thread so please let me know if I'm missing something.

Thanks once again.

[Mazeman03]

just touch your case every few minutes a metal part of it

[Senzelian]

Simply connect that thing to the radiator or just touch it with your hand everytime you handle a component. Most people never even think about static electricity and their systems work fine.
When I build my systems I ground myself once before building and then everytime before touching the motherboard, because it is the most fragile part.

[SkilledRebuilds]

Tell your parents their shithouse.

 

Grounded for life.

 

/Sorry to derail,, couldn't pass up the opportunity for a funny, best of luck finding the info your after.

[Godlygamer23]

Connect the anti-static wrist strap to the power supply's fan grill or the case. If you suffer from dry skin, you will want to moisturize it using something that doesn't contain insulators or you'll have too much electrical resistance for the anti-static wrist strap to be effective.

 

Moved to General Discussion.

Edited January 23, 2016 by Godlygamer23
Put in topic move note.

[Philcat101]

Don't punish yourself! /s

Look at what the people said above me, it is good stuff.

[Goldensapling]

Just touch the case every few minutes.

I built my PC on a carpet with a blanket fresh out of the dryer draped over my shoulders, and my PC still works, so, you know.

[daniellearmouth]

You won't want to be "grounded" necessarily.

The principle is the same, but it's actually putting you on the same electrical level as everything around you.

 

Things you can do to prevent ESD include:

• wearing an ESD strap and connecting it to the power supply grille;
• working on a hard surface like a desk or a worktop; and
• standing on something other than carpet whilst working, like laminate flooring.

[Godlygamer23]

You won't want to be "grounded" necessarily.

I'm not sure I understand this statement. The only concerns for being grounded would be if you were working with high voltage, and considering the person probably won't be grounded while the system is functioning or around high voltage, being grounded has really no risks unless you're near some kind of screened window during a thunderstorm. Wooden tables are electrical insulators.

[daniellearmouth]

I'm not sure I understand this statement. The only concerns for being grounded would be if you were working with high voltage, and considering the person probably won't be grounded while the system is functioning or around high voltage, being grounded has really no risks unless you're near some kind of screened window during a thunderstorm. Wooden tables are electrical insulators.

 

ESD's a bitch, though. Even a minor difference can mess up components.

Since being on the same electrical level keeps you from potentially messing your stuff up, it's better that way than being just straight up grounded.

[Godlygamer23]

ESD's a bitch, though. Even a minor difference can mess up components.

Since being on the same electrical level keeps you from potentially messing your stuff up, it's better that way than being just straight up grounded.

Well no. Grounded means that any static electricity you generate goes to the ground circuit you created.

 

At my workplace(with military electronics), we MUST be grounded at all times in order to handle products and all of our tables that deal with product directly are grounded. IPC also has requirements for being grounded as well.

[AgentL3r]

Great, thanks all!

[poker1059]

I lust plugged my PSU into the wall and Touched it Before and after I touched or moved my parts and it posts! (On carpet wearing socks)

[Bhav]

I've been building / upgrading on carpet / bed for over a decade and never had a problem. I just touch the radiator pipe every few minutes.

[Mycrafter5]

just touch your case every few minutes a metal part of it

Clip on the alligator clip onto the case or PSU if you have one, otherwise ^.

[Oakenshield]

Connect the anti-static wrist strap to the power supply's fan grill or the case. If you suffer from dry skin, you will want to moisturize it using something that doesn't contain insulators or you'll have too much electrical resistance for the anti-static wrist strap to be effective.

 

Moved to General Discussion.

You'll also want to plug the PSU in, but don't turn it on.

[darealsoulless]

I've never used an anti static wrist or ankle strap. I've always built on carpet with socks and a hoodie on, and never had a problem with static