Question about static and grounding

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Aelfgeft

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So I'm going to constructing two new rigs in the next few weeks. Thing is, in past my apartment has either had wooden flooring, or at least one room that didn't have carpet.

This is not the case in my new apartment. The only places without carpet are the kitchen and bathroom.

Now, I've seen those anti-static floor mats, but they seem to go for $100+, and I really don't want to invest that much in something I'll use once or twice a year. Would a grounding strap attached to the case be enough? I've never actually used one, including at work, which is kind of a running gag there.
 
It should be good enough. You can simply touch a big metal desk or cabinet etc to discharge yourself of any static buildup you have. I use to use a static strap but, I often misplace it so I just touch a metal object first to discharge any static buildup. I keep the video cards, RAM, mobo in their anti static bags though. If you are living in a really dry area then you should take more precaution.
 
Its not really that concerning as people think. Ive built and re-biult my rig many times and ive forgotton to groundmy self a couple of times and touched the motherboard and nothing happened. Hell you will probably touch the case anyways on accident or a screw or somehting to discharge you static.
 
Phew, good. I had been noticing a lot of static every time I touched something metal this winter, but now that spring is here, that's let up quite a bit. Even so, I think I'll use the strap my company provided in my toolkit. It should be taken out of the package at least once before they get the kit back. ;)
 
Try not to build where you stand on long carpet.
You can reduce your own static build up by wearing cotton and wearing leather shoes or no shoes to help ground you better.

As pointed out touching metal is a good way to discharge.
The PSU when plugged in or the PC case of the PSU is installed are good ways to earth yourself.

It is a major concern if you get a lot of static at home, you are wise to observe caution.
 
Also keep in mind ESD has a latent effect. So even if you shock something, it may work fine, yet start to fail much sooner than it normally would have. Just keep touching a piece of metal that has a proper path to ground/earth and you'll be fine.
 
enginurd said:
Also keep in mind ESD has a latent effect. So even if you shock something, it may work fine, yet start to fail much sooner than it normally would have. Just keep touching a piece of metal that has a proper path to ground/earth and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Good post. ESD is not the end of the world. Some of these will work for years after shocks, some will die immediately. Just ground yourself and you should be fine.

I don't use esd straps and just carried a board about 100 ft. :D
 
Lt.Col.Dehler said:
Its not really that concerning as people think. Ive built and re-biult my rig many times and ive forgotton to groundmy self a couple of times and touched the motherboard and nothing happened. Hell you will probably touch the case anyways on accident or a screw or somehting to discharge you static.
Click to expand...

Only takes one to realize that your out $300.

But its true, I've yet to kill anything via static (I think).

Touching a ground will discharge any build up.
 
Just keep it a common ground as some pone suggested to the case of to window or any metal tht connects to ground.

ESD can cause random shut downs.
 
I've built many desktops over the years, and have always found just touching the chassis like others have suggested to be plenty.
 
I also have carpet in my home. I just touch the case metal before I start and every so often during the install.
 
verymagicalguy said:
I rest my forearms on the sides of the case when I build on carpet.
Click to expand...

which does you absolutely no good unless the case is grounded.

touching a case laying on a floor after accumulating 20kV of static charge : congratulations now both you and the case are at 20kV. theorhetically this will help, but only in the same way that skyclimber line-men aren't crispy-fried because they physically clip into the transmission line. (by putting themselves at the same potential as the cable, the eliminate the risk of an arc)

touching a case laying on the floor connected to ground : congratulations you are now grounded, and there is no more potential left and no chance for a discharge.

other thread: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1291002
 
Build the new computer in the bathroom, in the tub,without water in it.:eek:

Assemble components on MB outside the case, on the antistatic bag.
Put the PSU into it resting place in the case and plug the PSU in. Once in a while touch then case to groung yourself. That should be fine, unless you find in your home you do have alot of static discharge. Then a wrist band may be of use.
 
It never ceases to amaze me how people will pay thousands on computer equipment and come up with all sorts of reasons to avoid paying $7 for a wrist strap.
 
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