Anti-Static Band

Do you use an Anti-Static Band?

  • Yes

    Votes: 15 19.2%

  • No

    Votes: 63 80.8%
  • Total voters
    78
D

Digital Oxide

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
293
Most people I know don't use one, and some maybe have never even heard of them. But I know some of you out there use them. If you can give me your opinion, and your experiences with them would be great, i've also attached a survey for Yes/No.

I've never used a Band when building, just using the old way of having a ground nearby, but i'm sure it's good to have when building a computer for someone else, just in case.
 
It's a small, cheap aggravation that can save you from a much more expensive, larger one.
There's a reasonable probability that 50% of "DOA's" come from retailer's inattention to "ESD" and the other 50% from builders.
Having always used an antistatic mat and wrist strap, I've had 0% hardware failure on my end but a few "DOA's" from their end and 0 arguments from them when I advise them of both my methods and theirs.
 
I never used one in my 6 years of PC building/repairing experience. I always meant to get one, but meh, my forearm touching the side of my case hasn't failed me yet. One day, when one jumps off the shelf at me I will purchase it. :p
 
The quality of the bands i've seen are not so good, and the reviews i've read on the selection state that the clip either breaks, or its a flop in general. I've been looking into buying one though, just for that added safety.

How much did your Band cost by the way?
 
It has been nearly 7 years since I built my first computer and dozens of builds have followed. Whether building or upgrading for myself, friends, or customers, I have never used one of those bands nor have I ever built a comp that has ever refused to post and work properly.

...Uh oh.. *Knocks on wood :p

Just be cautious and aware of what you are doing. My advice: stay away from carpet and make sure you are constantly touching metal on the case.
 
I use them occasionally, more when I'm working on a friends or family member's computer just so I don't have to deal with them if their computer happened to get some ESD while i was "fixing" it. I use them whenvever I can but I will forget now and then, that or the clip keeps falling off and I get frustrated.
 
I've personally never used one. I've built a few computers over the years and have never had a problem. I think as long as you arent rubbing around on carpet or didn't just put on a sweater that came out of the dryer or something, you should be ok.
 
If I was building computers profesionally, I would always use one, as I do in class. Not on my own equipment, just proper grounding techniques.
 
I've built thousands of Pc's since the late 80's and have never worn a band. I do take precautions like grounding etc. but thats it
 
Wow =P overwhelming amount of 'no' votes, easier to just take procautions. Considering its just a band, with some wire, and an alligator clip, pretty cheap. It would still be a good thing to have though, if you could get it on sale, why not.

So most of you guys just touch a part of the case? Or have a different ground nearby?
 
Bought one at Frys when I purchased my new mobo, also picked up some sweet white gloves that prevent all esd from occuring. So far i am quite happy with my two way protection against crazy stuff happening to my system.
 
I just work on my kitchen floor with my foot on the case and do what ever I have todo hasent failed me yet.
 
locutus24 said:
Bought one at Frys when I purchased my new mobo, also picked up some sweet white gloves that prevent all esd from occuring. So far i am quite happy with my two way protection against crazy stuff happening to my system.
Click to expand...
Sooo....now you look like Michael Jackson as you go to fix people's PCs? Bet that goes down a treat... :p
 
I never used one untill I had to install memory in 7 $1700 Tablet PCs. It's more of a CYA policy for only about 4 bucks.
 
I don't use one, and have never killed any hardware due to ESD. Also, I work on carpet cause I'm too lazy to go into the kitchen.

However, I have been working on a highly advanced grounding strap mod. My intense worklog can be found here:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=940771 ;)
(must be general mayhem subscriber)
 
Never used it, working on carpet too. Have never lost a part to ESD.. yet.
biggrin.gif
 
Sometimes -
I was required to use on when I worked at SawTech, but I have never used one at home, I work over carpet - no choice my kitchen is very small on floor space, typically I am sitting in my chair barefooted with my feet on the metal part of the chair, and I always 'touch metal' before reaching into a case.
 
banGerprawN said:
Hah!

Nekkid for teh win!
Click to expand...
ROFL :D

Touching unpainted metal parts of the case, avoiding carpet and other static inducing items, including clothes and not fondling conductive sections of the parts one is handling is in theory enough to prevent ESD.
 
For cpu or motherboard - yes. If I'm just adding ram or something - no.
 
I posted yes, but really, I only use it when I build pc's for other people for insurance and disclaimer reasons. When dealing with my own forearm on the case is all I need.
 
I think I may have fried my wife's old CPU and motherboard due to ESD. I have a static band, but never really used it. I think I am going to from now on.
 
My only precaution was a dish towel to wipe my forhead cuz I was so damn sweaty when I built my computer.

"Oh noes sweaty mobo explodzorrED!"
 
Everybody seems to be going on just causing damage via esd, what happens if you get oils or small amounts of perspiration on a component. Especially if like a minor amount of skin oil gets on the conact points of a ram stick or something, wouldnt that cause problems. I considered this as the one and only reason to get gloves for when i work on computers which is rare occurence though.
 
What everyone that answers "no, it's not needed" or "no, it's a waste" needs to realize is ESD damage can be inflicted and the user may not notice the effects right away (sometimes months and months later). The most common symptom is loss of system operating stability over time, not instantaneous non-working hardware failure. It takes only around 25 volts of static to render damage to an IC. The human body can generate a static charge in excess of 30,000 volts just by walking across carpet given the right conditions of humidity and such. A 25 volt discharge won't even be felt, so it will go unnoticed and unrealized.

My suggestion: Spend the paltry $6 or so and get a wrist strap. If you don't like it because you feel it inhibits your manuevering inside the case, then get a grounding mat to lay the components on and another to stand on. It's a small investment to protect new and expensive components and there's really no good reason not to. ;)
 
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