Anti Static Wristband Question.

You attach it to your ground, typically something metal -- like your case.
 
And by all means...USE IT.

I've worked in electronics assembly for a decade and my corporation shells out massive amounts of cash, and more importantly time, to control ESD in many different ways. It takes very little to damage many components (if you can feel it, then you're already way over the line). Work on a hardwood floor if you have them and/or a wooden table, avoiding carpets if possible. Regardless...always use that strap.
 
Yes, exactly what FUBAR said.

The people that say "wtf, you don't need it don't even bother" are cheap. The straps are less then $5 and it can save your $1200 system from static.
 
I build it on my bed. But i stand on carpet when i put the stuff in. Is there anyway to tell if a part is dead from static with out turning it on or anything cuz the build is not done so is there and indication i can see?
 
CDdude55 said:
I build it on my bed. But i stand on carpet when i put the stuff in. Is there anyway to tell if a part is dead from static with out turning it on or anything cuz the build is not done so is there and indication i can see?
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If you don't have the strap at least touch the metal part of the case every few minutes or so.
 
an absolute must especially where I live.

Las Vegas in winter, carpet (even with humidifier in the room) ------> worst static conidtions in the world.
 
humidifier works somewhat, buy you still get static.

...it sucks opening the bathroom door and seeeing electric current zap your finger tips. :D
 
Never used a wirstband. Never think of getting one until I'm actually doing the work. I'll get one soon though.

I do touch either a PSU, or other metal object in order to ground myself out, and I ouch it often just to be safe.
 
Stick the clip in to a wall electrically socket.

actually clip it on to an unshielded piece of copper wire stuck in to the socket.

SERIOUSLY!!

Just make sure its the ground.... ie: the middle roundish one. (not the 2 flat ones) :D

When I need a good ground thats what I do.
 
Agreed. I have yet to use a static strap in my life, but keep myself grounded 99.99% of the time. Usually if you're working IN a case, your body / hands touch the case alot every couple seconds.

Banko said:
If you don't have the strap at least touch the metal part of the case every few minutes or so.
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We have very dry air at the moment and my home humidifyer isn't working...it's so bad that when I switch off the lights and play with the fleecy blanket, I have my very own electric night show.

But regardless of where you live, use the strap if you can. Better safe than sorry.
 
One important thing to add:

Mount your power supply in the case first before anything else. Keep the PSU switch in the OFF position but plug it in to the wall outlet. Now attach your static wrist strap to the case.

There, now that you and the case are properly grounded and have minimal electro-static potential, start putting the goodies in. If you don't have the case properly grounded and the potential for static build-up minimized, well, you draw the conclusions of what happens....

It takes as little as 15V of ESD to damage a circuit trace or IC. This level is low to the point you will not feel or see it, thus you will not know you have even damaged your precious new toys.

Another thing to point out: An ESD damaged piece of equipment does not mean it will not work at all. It can go on working normally and then fail at a later date. Or you can experience such things as random lock-ups, reboots, and even BSODs with no clue as to the cause.
 
chrisf6969 said:
Just make sure its the ground.... ie: the middle roundish one. (not the 2 flat ones) :D
Click to expand...

If you want to do this seriously and lessen the chance of the wire falling out of the socket, get a three-prong plug at your local hardware store with some lamp cord and a ring terminal.

Strip both ends of the lamp chord on both lines. At one end, twist the two lines on the lamp cord together and attach them to the ground prong in the plug and ensure that no strand touches either the neutral or hot prongs - I covered the stubs with electrical tape to be sure. Close it up and attach the ring terminal to the other end (both lines of the lamp chord).

Now you've got a solid plug that will tend to stay in the wall socket and a ring to attach the alligator clip to. As well, if the PSU is not plugged in, you can attach the ring terminal to the case via a thumbscrew to ground the case - then attach the wrist strap to the case.

A few minutes work and a few dollars in parts. If you get fancy later, you can make a grounding box with a few ground points on it (e.g. banana sockets) for plugging in other bits like an anti-static pad. Then you can have a fancy-schmancy grounded workbench.

Note that using this ground line and plug without a wrist strap doesn't put a resistor in the circuit - look up anti-static or ESD protection on the web for details.

PS - I have no idea whether or not this rig would pass muster as far as electrical codes are concerned. If you know nothing about electricity, stay away. Use at your own risk.
 
Humidity helps, but you have to get the conditions somewhat right. It's actually a combination of temperature and relative humidity that can keep ESD concerns down (but not eliminate them altogether). If I remember right, we keep our plant at around 68F and 40-60% Relative Humidity. Those are OUR optimal conditions to minimize ESD. YMMV. That said DRY air is a B-A-D thing. Cold, dry air is a V-E-R-Y B-A-D thing. :mad:
 
I was in the store today and I saw one that claimed to be a wireless version. IE you put the strap on your wrist and something works electronically without having to attach to a ground. Anyone know anything about these and if they are any good?
 
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