Safest way to ground when doing PC build

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Arksun

Arksun

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Ok here's the thing that confuses me the most. Every single instruction manual I've ever read always states that the PC should NOT be connected to the mains whilst installing new components. But I would have thought it should be connected so that any unwated charge can be drained away to earth.

Do they suggest not to connect because they worry people will have it connected and actually powered up and they're just covering their backs? or is there an actual solid reason why it should not be plugged in whilst installing stuff?

I'm based in UK where the wall sockets have their own switch so I'd know 100% the PSU is not getting any power, just grounded.

Any other tips or things I could buy to help reduce static would be welcome.
 
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Arksun

Arksun

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I think that thread just confused me more! lol. Very polar opposite opinions between yourself and Outlander there.
So does plugging the PSU inside the case to the mains socket yield any benefit or not?. Or is just touching the case/anti-static wristband to case not connected to the mains equally as effective?
 
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nostall

nostall

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I think you hit the answer on the head: some folks would never think(or would-do forget) to check the power switch on the PSU before installing, and many lower end and OEM PSU's don't have any power switch on the PSU and must be unplugged to eliminate ALL power from going to the components.
Three other things you can do regarding static electriciy:
1. before working on the PC touch some bare metal on the case; this should pull any static from you to ground
a: buy and use a cheap static wrist band.
2. A bit more expensive, but mine has lasted many builds and over 15 years, buy and us an anti-static mat. Here in the U.S. I bought mine from Fry's electronics.
Here's a link for both of the above from Amazon U.K.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_3_4?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=anti+static+mat&sprefix=anti%2Cnull%2C178
3. I took an old power cord and cut-off the power prongs, leaving ONLY the grounding prong; no chance of power going from the wall to the PSU, and the system is unplugged and grounded when I use it.
Hope this all helps
(P.S. Especially remember to completely power down when installing/removing memory modules/sticks; they get power all the time when the system is plugged in -- but you probably know that.)
 
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Arksun

Arksun

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Accidental having the power on would be a non-issue. Like I say the wall socket itself has an on-off switch. So you think I should have mine grounded via mains whilst working on it nostall?

Thanks for the link btw. I've also heard about anti-static gloves.
This is a brand new build from scratch so no problems with residual energy left in the components.
 
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nostall

nostall

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If you are building from scratch, I think the anti-static wrist band or the mat are the easiest ways to go; they are built and meant to be grounded. And since it is a new build, you wouldn't plug the PSU into the wall current until one of the very last things before you turn on the PC.
But you may be overstressing re. static: You should be safe as long as you do NOT work on a carpeted floor or rug, but on a work bench or a solid table or a counter top, and before starting to handle any sensitive parts you touch some grounded metal to discharge any static in your body, you should be o.k. All the other provisions are just extra precautions: I sometimes get a little careless around the end of a build, so the anti-static stuff just adds another buffer of protection in case I do something like play with the dog or walk through the house then pick up a stick of RAM or a video card.
 
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Someone Somewhere

Someone Somewhere

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Sep 23, 2012
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One thing I've heard is that it depends on the type of carpet. Synthetic stuff tends to be very good at picking up charge, but wool is generally not so bad. Similar thing goes for clothing; most plant-based stuff is conductive enough that you're not going to get lots of static.

@nostall, the US doesn't have them (IIRC) but much of the world has isolators on power points that interrupt phase while neutral and ground continue straight through. Effectively the same as using the switch on the PSU.
 
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Arksun

Arksun

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I can build it on wooden floor on wooden table with cardboard which should help with static buildup issues.
Just one thing though, this is a Fractal Design R4 case, and for the life of me I can't find anywhere on it where its exposed metal. It's like the entire case was dipped in that black paint. Would touching the painted metal not count?
 
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