How do I ground my self on my power supply?

[JTB77]

Do I just touch it, or does it have to be plugged in?

I always hear people saying that, I am building my first pc and I need don't have/wont get antistatic wrist straps.

I am going to be standing on hardwood floor, and working on a kitchen countertop so that shouldn't be to much of an issue.

Thanks!

[DaltonM]

Plugged into a grounded outlet, with the power switch turned off. You need to touch an unpainted surface, like the fan grill

[Mazeman03]

just touch your pc case every once in a while. a metal part on the case

[soup]

People seem paranoid over ESD, it is no-where near the problem it once was.

 

I would say that you DON'T want to be grounded anyway rather you want to equalise the potential differences (voltages).

 

Do not sweat it, what you are doing seems fine just remember to touch an unpainted part of your case periodically whilst unwrapping components; you will have a hard job NOT touching the case almost continuosly whilst assembling the system.

[Godlygamer23]

People seem paranoid over ESD, it is no-where near the problem it once was.

The surrounding humidity affects how much static electricity is generated, so depending on the area, it could be a massive problem.

 

Moved to General Discussion.

[Benji_w]

Do I just touch it, or does it have to be plugged in?

I always hear people saying that, I am building my first pc and I need don't have/wont get antistatic wrist straps.

I am going to be standing on hardwood floor, and working on a kitchen countertop so that shouldn't be to much of an issue.

Thanks!

 

Just touch something metal, you'll be fine. I've not killed anything with static over the last 6-7 years.

[AnonymousGuy]

PSU has to be plugged in (should just leave it plugged in) and you want to have the motherboard power 24 pin connector plugged in to ground the entire case (through the standoffs).  Touch an *unpainted* metal surface then and you'll be grounded.  If the metal is black then it isn't unpainted!

 

If you want to be safe: static strap, Hyflex 11-101 antistatic gloves, and a grounded work mat (3M sells these).

[soup]

The surrounding humidity affects how much static electricity is generated,

 

It can be considered like that but it does not.  In actuality what happens is the same amount of charge is built up but humid air conducts better than dry air so it allows the charge to dissipate into the atmosphere not allowing a big difference in the voltages. So the effect is that there are not so many/such powerful catastrophic(in the instantaneous meaning not the amount of damage caused) discharges.

[Godlygamer23]

It can be considered like that but it does not.  In actuality what happens is the same amount of charge is built up but humid air conducts better than dry air so it allows the charge to dissipate into the atmosphere not allowing a big difference in the voltages. So the effect is that there are not so many/such powerful catastrophic(in the instantaneous meaning not the amount of damage caused) discharges.

Yes, but lack of humidity is a big issue when it comes to electronics. Grounding is much more important in that situation.

[soup]

 Grounding is much more important in that situation.

 

I am anti-grounding.  I do not want to be at zero volts (or ground voltage) relative to everything near me I'd rather equalise( be at their voltage whether this is zero volts or  1 million volts(<slight hyperbole there)) less chance of a difference in voltage causing a catastrophic discharge.  Still with all the anti ESD measures built in to modern components, and in built/semi-built systems it is all moot anyway.  Just don't do anything silly, like strokeing the cat whilst building, and you will be fine.

[Praesi]

I just touch the Heater. Works since my first build ages ago.

[Badazzz]

You won't really damage the motherboard with static, especially nowadays with static protection on 99.9999% of mobos. I even saw a test where they electrocuted a mobo (youtube channel DIY Tryin) and it took like 3 shots for the mobo to give out.

[givegomezthegun]

In 20 years I've never taken any more precaution than giving the case or psu a quick touch and I've never had a problem.  Even when I was a young teenager and didn't even know ESD was a potential issue 

[boarder2k7]

I am anti-grounding. I do not want to be at zero volts (or ground voltage) relative to everything near me I'd rather equalise( be at their voltage whether this is zero volts or 1 million volts(<slight hyperbole there)) less chance of a difference in voltage causing a catastrophic discharge. Still with all the anti ESD measures built in to modern components, and in built/semi-built systems it is all moot anyway. Just don't do anything silly, like strokeing the cat whilst building, and you will be fine.

This guy gets it. "Grounding" is irrelevant, you just need to be at the same potential as your parts. The PSU doesn't have to be plugged into the wall or anything else. Just touch the case/antistatic bag with your component in it first.

[WereCat]

The surrounding humidity affects how much static electricity is generated, so depending on the area, it could be a massive problem.

Moved to General Discussion.

Exactly this. I had no problems with static before I moved to new apartment. Now I get zapped everytime I touch my mouse, headphones cable, case, table leg.. It is annoying.

[Beeeyeee]

in needs to be plugged in and turned on then you just touch the outside. because it will connect to the ground plug in the outlet. honestly just touch the PSU every few minutes and you'll be more than safe. i've been doing that for years:)

[boarder2k7]

in needs to be plugged in and turned on then you just touch the outside. because it will connect to the ground plug in the outlet. honestly just touch the PSU every few minutes and you'll be more than safe. i've been doing that for years:)

Even if you're going to say it has to be plugged in (which it doesn't) it does not have to be turned on. The ground is always connected.