Quick question about static

[DarkWater]

So, hopefully today I begin assembling my first PC build. However, before I start, I just want to make sure I'm grounding myself properly to avoid any potential damage caused by static electricity.

 

My new PC case has painted metal (matre black or something) and to my understanding, grounding to that won't work well enough.

 

I will be building whilst my current PC is powered on (to use for any guides I may need and so on). This case has unpainted metal on the back. My question is this: Would connecting my anti-static wristband to my current PC case work? 

[79wjd]

Yes. Although fwiw, you don't even need to be that careful. Modern components are quite resilient to static shock.

[SteinerW]

grounding your self on the case every once in a while is more than enough. I build computers on carpet all the time and never killed anything.

[mariushm]

Yes, as long as your computer is plugged into a grounded outlet.

You don't really need an anti static wristband though, usually it's enough to just touch some grounded surface like the back of your computer to discharge whatever static build up you have in your body.

Once you're discharged, as long as you don't have clothes that generate static electricity on your body and you don't rub your feet on things that could cause static you should be quite fine. Basically, grab components by edges, try not to put your fingers on metallic pins or exposed metal on the back of boards and it's enough - you damage things only when you get your fingers very close or in direct contact with metal parts.

I usually just have a power strip on the work desk plugged into a grounded outlet and every few minutes or before I work with a circuit board, I touch the ground leads in one of the sockets to make sure i'm discharged.

 

[DHelios]

20 minutes ago, DarkWater said:

[...snip!...] My question is this: Would connecting my anti-static wristband to my current PC case work? 

That will be adequate, assuming your current PC is connector to a grounded outlet.

 

As small as the risk of damage due to electrostatic discharge while building is, if you have the wrist strap I don't see why you wouldn't use it. It's good practice, and a small risk is still a risk.

[KCmetro]

I have the same thing, I think I may have fried a motherboard in the past, all I know is that the mobo didn't work, had to get another. Antistatic wrist band connected to case was all that I thought was necessary, but I guess not...

 

 

 

...so connecting it to a plugged in device (but does PSU have to be on also?) will do the trick.

 

Now if only I can keep those pesky pets out of the way.

 

I have the antistatic wrist strap, but need the PSU for actually, well, building the computer. lol

 

What else could I plug into the wall near my setup, then alligator clip attach to it and, say, use the wrist strap as an ankle strap instead?

 

[DHelios]

On 02/12/2016 at 8:34 PM, KCmetro said:

What else could I plug into the wall near my setup, then alligator clip attach to it and, say, use the wrist strap as an ankle strap instead?

I generally just snap the alligator clamp to one of the ground prongs of a nearby power socket.

 

If you're clipping the wrist strap to the case, that's works if you're making small adjustments to an existing case (as you'll have the same load as the computer, so there'll be no discharge between you and it). If you're building a new case, you'll be touching a variety of parts that are not themselves grounded, and that do not have the same load as you do. Proper grounding is then recommended.

 

When connecting to the case with the PSU in it, it's best to leave it plugged in (ground wire is connected) but switched off (live wire is disconnected).

[KCmetro]

20 minutes ago, DHelios said:

I generally just snap the alligator clamp to one of the ground prongs of a nearby power socket.

 

If you're clipping the wrist strap to the case, that's works if you're making small adjustments to an existing case (as you'll have the same load as the computer, so there'll be no discharge between you and it). If you're building a new case, you'll be touching a variety of parts that are not themselves grounded, and that do not have the same load as you do. Proper grounding is then recommended.

 

When connecting to the case with the PSU in it, it's best to leave it plugged in (ground wire is connected) but switched off (live wire is disconnected).

I ended up getting out an old PSU, plugging it in, leaving it turned off, clipping onto it, and it worked fine.

Built the computer, and all's working well. No fried components.