Static Electricity protection.

[MyFartSoTart]

Hey im looking to build my first pc but idk a lot about grounding myself. What is thew easiest way to do it? Thx for all help

Here is my system in case it helps= 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor	$280.98 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler	Corsair - H100i PRO 75.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	$109.99 @ Newegg
Motherboard	MSI - Z370 GAMING PRO CARBON ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$169.99 @ B&H
Memory	Corsair - Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$169.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Samsung - 970 Evo 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$87.99 @ Amazon
Storage	Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	$58.89 @ OutletPC
Video Card	Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB ROG STRIX Video Card	$539.99 @ Walmart
Case	Corsair - Crystal 460X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case	$129.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Corsair - RMx (2018) 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$74.99 @ Newegg
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit	$94.89 @ OutletPC
Case Fan	Corsair - LL120RGB LED (Three Fans With Lighting Node PRO) 43.2 CFM 120mm Fans	$109.60 @ Newegg
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$1877.29
	Mail-in rebates	-$50.00
	Total	$1827.29
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-06 10:30 EDT-0400

 

[Windows7ge]

If ESD is a real concern for you you can buy a anti-static wrist strap. However IMO it's not necessary. Just touch the chassis, PSU, or any other large body of metal periodically. I've shocked myself on things like door knobs & the screws on light switches I assume because they're grounded though the box behind it. You could plug your PSU into the wall and touch the PSU. Should achieve the same thing.

[brob]

Get an inexpensive anti-static strap. Install the psu in the case. Make sure that the switch on the back of the psu is in the off position. Plug the psu into a grounded wall outlet. Clip the anti-static strap to a metal portion of the psu.

[MyFartSoTart]

5 hours ago, Windows7ge said:

If ESD is a real concern for you you can buy a anti-static wrist strap. However IMO it's not necessary. Just touch the chassis, PSU, or any other large body of metal periodically. I've shocked myself on things like door knobs & the screws on light switches I assume because they're grounded though the box behind it. You could plug your PSU into the wall and touch the PSU. Should achieve the same thing.

So your saying that before building I can install and plug in the psu. Then every few minutes I can just touch the psu and I’ll be fine and won’t hurt the hardware? Does the psu have to be on or off?

[Windows7ge]

4 minutes ago, MyFartSoTart said:

So your saying that before building I can install and plug in the psu. Then every few minutes I can just touch the psu and I’ll be fine and won’t hurt the hardware? Does the psu have to be on or off?

Nothing is ever certain in computers but the probability is significantly low following that rule, yes. On or off doesn't matter. In either state the ground wire is still connected to the PSU enclosure. From there it's just important that the electrical outlet itself is properly grounded.

[brob]

3 hours ago, MyFartSoTart said:

So your saying that before building I can install and plug in the psu. Then every few minutes I can just touch the psu and I’ll be fine and won’t hurt the hardware? Does the psu have to be on or off?

Yes.

Yes, but it would be much better to wear a grounding strap that is always connected to the psu.

It can be either, but for safety sake should be off.

 

[MyFartSoTart]

1 hour ago, brob said:

Yes.

Yes, but it would be much better to wear a grounding strap that is always connected to the psu.

It can be either, but for safety sake should be off.

 

Ok r there any good cheap ones you would recommend?

[brob]

2 hours ago, MyFartSoTart said:

Ok r there any good cheap ones you would recommend?

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G28N7073&cm_re=anti_static_wrist_strap-_-99-200-012-_-Product

 

It is good practice to check continuity between the endpoints before use.

[MandoPanda]

Don't worry about ESD if you ground yourself every once and a while (like if you walk away and come back to the computer). Other tips include: don't wear socks, don't build on carpet, make sure your building surface is dry and preferably made out of wood and not plastic. 

 

Like others said, just touch something metal before getting into the computer. I've never had to use an anti static wrist strap.

[MyFartSoTart]

1 hour ago, MandoPanda said:

Don't worry about ESD if you ground yourself every once and a while (like if you walk away and come back to the computer). Other tips include: don't wear socks, don't build on carpet, make sure your building surface is dry and preferably made out of wood and not plastic. 

 

Like others said, just touch something metal before getting into the computer. I've never had to use an anti static wrist strap.

Ok thx

[brob]

7 hours ago, MandoPanda said:

...

Like others said, just touch something metal before getting into the computer. I've never had to use an anti static wrist strap.

The metal has to be grounded for it to do any good.

 

Weigh the cost of a $15 wrist strap against having to replace a cpu, gpu, or motherboard. 

[MyFartSoTart]

2 hours ago, brob said:

The metal has to be grounded for it to do any good.

 

Weigh the cost of a $15 wrist strap against having to replace a cpu, gpu, or motherboard. 

So you are saying the wall port has to be grounded for it to work? Will the strap make a difference if the port isn't grounded? Also I've heard most parts have static electricity protection...

[MandoPanda]

3 hours ago, brob said:

The metal has to be grounded for it to do any good.

 

False. I have done it plenty of times without the cable plugged in and it works just fine. I used to work on computers daily and I have never had an issue with ESD. Here is our lord and savior Lienue on the topic. 

He says 'ground yourself on the powersupply periodically' and then they proceed to work on computers without the cables to the PSUs plugged in.

 

[Razor Blade]

Unless the work is grounded as well, don't ground yourself. You need to be at the same voltage potential as the work piece. Clip your ESD strap to the work piece the resistance in the band will bring you to the same potential as the work without shocking you. While it is a good idea to work on a grounded workbench or chassis, but not necessarily required.

[brob]

1 hour ago, MyFartSoTart said:

So you are saying the wall port has to be grounded for it to work? Will the strap make a difference if the port isn't grounded? Also I've heard most parts have static electricity protection...

 

As I said in my first post:

1. Install the psu in the case. 
2. Make sure the psu is turned off (switch on the back) and plug it into a grounded outlet. This should incorporate the case and psu in the common house ground.
3. Put the strap on and clip it to a metal part of the psu (or case). This attaches you to the same ground.

If the wall outlet is not grounded, the exercise is pointless.

 

Parts susceptible to damage from static are generally shipped in anti static bags. Is that what you mean about static electricity protection?

 

As others have said, you don't have to do any of this. It's sort of like insurance, you don't really need it most of the time. But when you do, it is well worth the cost.

 

[MyFartSoTart]

17 hours ago, MandoPanda said:

False. I have done it plenty of times without the cable plugged in and it works just fine. I used to work on computers daily and I have never had an issue with ESD. Here is our lord and savior Lienue on the topic. 

He says 'ground yourself on the powersupply periodically' and then they proceed to work on computers without the cables to the PSUs plugged in.

 

K I'll just touch the psu every couple of minutes. One more question though. I won't be working on carpet but there will be a dining room rug. Should I wear boots to stop the electricity?

[MandoPanda]

7 hours ago, MyFartSoTart said:

Should I wear boots to stop the electricity?

You could do this. Or any shoe that has a rubber sole. Is it possible to temporarily roll up the rug?