How to properly ground yourself to avoid static electricity?

I have some idea about this subject, but I'm not %100 sure about how to properly ground myself to avoid discharging dangerous static electricity into the PC components (motherboards, GPU PCBs..etc), so thought it'd be better to ask here than be sorry later. I hate wearing anti-static wristbands so that's not really an option (unless I'm working on something that costs an arm and a leg), here are the things that I'm not exactly sure about:

- Touching a piece of metal isn't a sure way to ground yourself, just because it's a good conductor doesn't mean it's grounded, for example if it's sitting on the carpet it won't ground you but if it's sitting directly on the ground (earth) it will?

- Touching the metal in your case or PSU's metal casing while it's sitting on the ground will discharge your static electricity?

- If your PSU is connected to a grounded power socket (it's turned off), touching its metal casing is a sure way to discharge yourself from static electricity and ground yourself? Even if you're sitting on the carpet along with the PSU?

Any more info/tips would be great.

I hope this is the right place to post this thread since it's related to installing PC hardware properly.

100 views, 0 replies, comeon guys the subject isn't THAT boring

Just keep contact with the case, doesn't matter where it's located. You'll be fine.

Also you shouldn't build computers on carpet if you're that worried about static electricity. Hardwood/concrete floors in like a Kitchen or Dining Room area is where you should assemble the computers in that case.

i use one of those wrist bands that has a connector on the end that i crimp onto the psu, although in all honesty this is overkill, unless you plan on building ure computer on carpet that is prone to static, and even then you most likely wont have an issue.

An earth ground is not at all necessary for static protection. Ever touch a door knob and zap yourself? That door knob isn't grounded to earth. It just had less charge than you did, thus a voltage potential existed. As long as the components you're installing, the case you're installing them into, and your body all remain at the same potential, ESD problems will be nothing to worry about. Keep the components in their bags until you're ready to iinstall them, keep in contact with the case, and minimize unnecessary movement.

Get off the freaking carpets And pay attention to your footwear/socks, avoid synthetics (this goes for shirts and pants as well).

If you MUST build in a carpeted area, at least buy an anti-static mat to stand on. Staples usually has pallets of them in-store (not the ones they hang on the racks) for about $20-$25.

Polarhound said:

If you MUST build in a carpeted area, at least buy an anti-static mat to stand on. Staples usually has pallets of them in-store (not the ones they hang on the racks) for about $20-$25.

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Are you sure those mats are anti-static? Because I tested a hard clear plastic one and a rubber or vinyl one bought elsewhere, and neither passed the water stream test for static voltage. The only anti-static materials I found at Staples were packing peanuts and bubble wrap, the latter $15 for 60 sq. ft.

I cover the whole table top with anti-static bubble wrap and work with no shoes, socks, or long sleeves. Short sleeves make it highly likely that my elbows will ground to the bubble wrap.

ryan_975 said:

An earth ground is not at all necessary for static protection. Ever touch a door knob and zap yourself? That door knob isn't grounded to earth. It just had less charge than you did, thus a voltage potential existed. As long as the components you're installing, the case you're installing them into, and your body all remain at the same potential, ESD problems will be nothing to worry about. Keep the components in their bags until you're ready to iinstall them, keep in contact with the case, and minimize unnecessary movement.

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qft