ESD question

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Toobernoober

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Sep 21, 2006
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I am hoping you guys can settle an argument me and my buddy got into.....

My buddy was at my house last night while I was building my new system. The first thing I do is install the processor and HSF to the motherboard while the motherboard is out of the case, then I install the motherboard to the case. While I am installing the processor I connect myself to the motherboard by my wrist-strap. Then once I fully install the motherboard into the case I move my wrist-strap cord to the case. My buddy said that even though the board is not even touching the case while I install the processor I should strap my self to the case and not the motherboard while installing the processor. He said that since the case is directly touching the table and then the table directly touches the ground its better to strap my self to it.

I just said what ever dude and went about my way....

Can you please respond here and tell him he is an idiot so he can hear it from more than one person, cause he still firmly believes he is right.
 
Well... I'm not an electrical engineer... but I do know that to ground yourself, you need to touch something that conducts (metal)... and that metal needs to be touching something that's zero voltage (earth). So basically, touch some dead (0V) metal. So I guess the case is the safer choice, but either will work, depending on where you connect that aligator clip to on the mobo :p
 
I might be wrong but I always connect myself to what I am working on so that the item and myself are on the same charge. If I connect myself to the case while working on a mother board not connected to said case we are in essence not at the same charge and a ESD might occur. At least that's the argument I gave my buddy......


PS sorry for any bad english
 
I don't really know why ppl get so concerned about the ESD.. I've buit many computers and had never worn a silly wrist-straps.. sometimes, if I'm on a carpeted floor, I ground myself by touching heater.. and that's it...
 
The point is to keep a static charge that's built up on you from zapping your components. So you want a way to drain any charge you may have built up. TO do this you have to ground yourself to an earth ground before you touch any ESD sensitive devices. Grounding to the case is the better option as long it's grounded. Attaching to the motherboard just moves the path ESD will take from "you >> motherboard" to "Motherboard >> ground" So it's no better off.
 
TheMostWantedPolishTwin said:
I don't really know why ppl get so concerned about the ESD.. I've buit many computers and had never worn a silly wrist-straps.
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I second the motion. Although I do stay off of the carpet altogether. And I live in a high humidity area.
 
ryan_975 said:
The point is to keep a static charge that's built up on you from zapping your components. So you want a way to drain any charge you may have built up. TO do this you have to ground yourself to an earth ground before you touch any ESD sensitive devices. Grounding to the case is the better option as long it's grounded. Attaching to the motherboard just moves the path ESD will take from "you >> motherboard" to "Motherboard >> ground" So it's no better off.
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Exactly. I've never heard of anyone "grounding" themselves to their motherboard. Seems like more of a hazard than a safety precaution. Anyway I'm not sure that grounding yourself to and ungrounded case is much better. I like to have a seperate case/PSU than the one im working on and plug in the PSU to a grounded outlet. Then if you ground yourself to that extra case then you know your grounded. And it dont take much effort to set and extra computer beside the one your working on.
 
metallicafan said:
Exactly. I've never heard of anyone "grounding" themselves to their motherboard. Seems like more of a hazard than a safety precaution. Anyway I'm not sure that grounding yourself to and ungrounded case is much better. I like to have a seperate case/PSU than the one im working on and plug in the PSU to a grounded outlet. Then if you ground yourself to that extra case then you know your grounded. And it dont take much effort to set and extra computer beside the one your working on.
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Unless you only have one computer.

As for those people who keep preaching ESD isn't a problem. Then explain to me why electronics manufactureres are so strict on ESD precautions during the manufacturing, testing, and packaging proceses? And how do you know that you've never had an ESD related problem? It could be as subtle as a random BSOD or even just not being able to overclock as high as others have done with the same parts.
 
well it seems I am the idiot....

How about if I take an extension cord and cut off the two flat prongs but leave the 3rd ground prong and plug it into the wall outlet. Then cut the other end of the extension cord to expose the ground wire and hook my wrist strap to the exposed ground wire?
 
Seems like a joke, but that IS the direct path to ground, and a sure thing. The screws on your outlet / switch plate should be wired to that same ground.
 
Toobernoober said:
well it seems I am the idiot....

How about if I take an extension cord and cut off the two flat prongs but leave the 3rd ground prong and plug it into the wall outlet. Then cut the other end of the extension cord to expose the ground wire and hook my wrist strap to the exposed ground wire?
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Why destroy a perfectly good extension cord when you already have a wrist strap, a PSU, and a power cord?
 
Toobernoober said:
well it seems I am the idiot....

How about if I take an extension cord and cut off the two flat prongs but leave the 3rd ground prong and plug it into the wall outlet. Then cut the other end of the extension cord to expose the ground wire and hook my wrist strap to the exposed ground wire?
Click to expand...

Provided your outlets are properly grounded, that is exactly what the ground wire in 3-wire molex is for.

The easy way to do it that way is to mount your power supply into the case via screws, then plug it into the wall outlet and clip your ESD strap onto the case. Not the motherboard.
 
Look under the electronics section.. there is a sticky there.. it's all about ESD.. i'm sure you can find your answer there..
 
I don't really use a wriststrap when working in my PC. Just be sure to tap the case to discharge any built up charge. Essentially, any charge in your body will be transferred to the case in a uniform manner. The case is a large conductor which ESD cannot damage. If you pick up charges and then clip yourself to the mobo, charge might build up in the mobo.

From a physical point of view (practical and realistic conditions may alter this), it is a MUCH better idea to ground yourself to your case and not your mobo.
 
ESD can be a problem when building a PC, some people will find they are more prone to it than others.
How much static you generate depends a lot on the clothes you are wearing, how much and how you move, the carpet you are standing on and on the Relative Humidity.
Static is developed only when you move, so it makes sense to wear clothing that is known not to generate static much.

Some handy tips:
Wear cotton clothes as they dont generate significant static.

Wear leather soled shoes/cotton socks or no shoes/socks at all (best).
If you wear rubber/plastic soled trainers/shoes etc, you are badly earthed (highly isolated) so can become highly charged with static.

Long pile carpets can generate more static than shorter although there are many antistatic carpets around..
Try to work where the carpet is shortest or is an antistatic type.

When you walk, lift your feet rather than drag them as this will generate less static from the carpet and also wont leave the carpet as highly charged.

If the Relative Humidity is below 55% you will be much more prone to static.
A Relative Humidity above 60% makes static dissipate quickly.

You all know how to earth yourselves so I wont go there but I will mention this:

If you have observed all the above precautions with what you wear etc, it may not be necessary to use an earth strap.
With a case that has the PSU fitted and mains cable attached+plugged in, touch the case before you pick anything up and after you have moved much.
I case that isnt plugged in will still be quite effective at removing static.
If you feel the need to use an earth strap, all the better :)
 
Chernobyl1 said:
...
Click to expand...

However, you never know how much static you have built up until it discharges. By then it may be too late, so the wrist strap idea is more than just a good suggestion.
 
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