How to use and not use an antic static wrist band

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gensuperman

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Okay. I have been trying to research this. As I don't want to static shock any of the components on this new computer build.

The question I have is:

What is the proper way to hook up an anti static wrist strap to the computer?

I have read hundreds of ways to do this, but, I'm trying to clarify some of this :

First off:

From another forum, I read someone say:

In regards to an antistatic wrist strap:

"Both ways are okay:

1. You put the power supply into the computer case first. Then you plug it into a surge protector, that plugs into the wall. The surge protector is then turned off. (However, there is an on/off switch on the back of the power supply?). Then you put on the wrist strap and the metal piece under the strap case touches your skin. The alligator clip then connects to a "Non painted metal surface" of the case. Then any electrical static goes back to the earth.

2. Second way, You just connect the anti static wristband to the computer case on a metal non painted surface and without plugging the power supply into the wall socket.

In both ways the electric potential of the computer case and your wrist is the same. So no charge flows - no damage".

But, how is that possible? When you touch a different item such as an unboxed memory chips or cpu processor? They won't be the same current as the computer case or you, even if you had the anti static wristband attached or unattached?

So.... I used to do this differently in the past.... where I would just touch a metal piece such as an unplugged side of the power supply (whether being in the case or not) with both hands and that should release any anti static that you may have? I guess I have been doing this wrong? But, I have read where some have just touched a metal piece such as taking off the side metal panel of the computer case and that should release any anti static and place you at the same current.

But, in order to ground, wouldn't it need to be able to go back to the earth?

Wouldn't plugging in the power supply, even having the surge protector or power supply switch turned off and plugged into the wall, still have some form of current? Couldn't you get electrocuted?

So, what are ways to disappate static electricity or ways to keep static from damaging items that you are handling, such as CPU, Memory chips or harddrives?

Finally, I've read about anti static mats, but that seems kinda over kill, when you can just place the computer or parts on a wooden table. I'm sure you wouldn't use a metal table and definitely wouldnt build on carpet or any cloth or any plastic?

There are several people that don't even use anti static gloves, mats or bracelets.

I'm just confused, could use any help in this regards.
 
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Agreed with swifty_morgan. We don't want to over think this. Wood is a poor conductor of electricity. Static can build up when the epoxy based motherboard moves over a surface like carpet or vinyl. The wood just creates a barrier to prevent buildup static charge. People will connect a system together, outside of a case, on wood to prevent shorting of components. A case will ground to a PSU if it is mounted to the case, but a PSU that is plugged into a proper outlet (regardless of power switch on or off) is grounded.

Moving that aside, when discharging static, you want to do it on a large piece of metal. The larger the piece, the more charge it can absorb. I don't know the type of table you have, or what metal is on the leg...
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swifty_morgan

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i never used one.... i ground myself on the stove or fridge or another computer case or something else metal. .....but.......... the power supply goes in the case last........ that's how I do it. a lot roomier that way and you have enough room to work.................

the wrist strap........ if you need to wear one............ wrap it around your ankle and clip it on a metal table edge or on something else. that way you won't have an annoying wire attached to your hand while trying to work.
 
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ksham

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All of the above methods will work. There is more than one way to discharge static electricity buildup in your body. And the static electricity buildup is actually rather small, but it is just a lot for those small computer components.

So in fact, it's so small, that you can easily discharge yourself with a small magnet or a small piece of metal. You can touch a metal portion of your case, a metal portion in your power supply that is plugged into an outlet but is NOT turned on, a metal surface for a heater, a metal pipe, etc. Tons of ways.
 
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Doramius

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Grounding is always a "SURE" method of static discharge. However, don't misinterpret or confuse the term "Ground". Too many people use this term loosely. The term "Ground" or "Grounding" means to have a direct connection to Ground. That means your connection must be connected to a wire that goes into the ground.

What is most important is "Electrostatic Discharge". The larger a piece of metal is, and its conductivity, the more it has electron displacement. It can actually take or hold a charge to a very large level. When dealing with low voltages and ambient static from walking across a room, an ungrounded computer case can absorb an electrostatic discharge...to a point. It's not 100% protective, but for most static buildup a person will generally come in contact with, a discharge on a case should be adequate. When a PSU is mounted and a grounded plug is connected, any charge buildup will be dissipated. Most CPU cases can hold a surprising amount of electrostatic charge. This is the method often used in a pinch when a 'static or grounding band' is not available.

Surge protectors and PSUs ground lines are always tied directly to ground, even when off, as long as they are connected to properly grounded outlets. The general reason for leaving the system powered off, is to prevent a faulty stray voltage from causing damage or harm. Many people will always err on the side of caution for liability and safety reasons.

Hope this helps give understanding and clarification why people choose differently on how to discharge static electricity.
 
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gensuperman

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Beautiful explanation. I have one more question about this. If any one knows the answer, please respond:

Ok.... So, what are ways to keep from causing static electricity?

I guess, what I am also looking for is this:

Here's my steps:

I have the motherboard on the wooden table (not in the case yet). I pull the CPU chip and the Memory chips from their boxes. At this point (not using the Anti Static bracelet) can that lead to a static discharge while touching the CPU, Memory chips (In their boxes) or even the Motherboard sitting on the wooden table? (This shouldn't occur because nothing is grounded... well except for the motherboard on the wooden table right?)

Then lets take it one step further..... You then place the motherboard that now has the cpu and memory installed within the computer case's backing. Next, you would install in the power supply and then the harddrives and put all the connectors together. So.... At what point, can static discharge occur?

If I use the anti static wrist band. I could just clip it onto any metal piece, right? That metal piece sitting on the wooden table doesn't have to lead the earth/ground correct (or does it)? So, I could just connect it to the metal part of the computer case?

But, if I am reading this correctly, the powersupply has to already be in the computer case and the power supply must already be plugged into the wall (turned off) to truly be grounded. But, what happens if you don't have the power supply in the case yet? Then you have to hook up yourself to the metal part of the power supply as you work on the computer? I'm wondering is there some other easier way to discharge yourself, without having a direct electrical wall outlet and if you don't have any pipes that lead to the earth/ground to touch?
 
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westom

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The question is always about where that current flows. A ground relevant to static electricity is completely different from other grounds. Static electticity is a connection of charges in the body to charges beneath shoes.

Electronic damage is defined by that current path. From the body and finger. Into memory chip. Out other side of memory chip into computer board. Out computer via wooden table leg or AC electric cord. Then somehow via table leg or wire in wall to charges beneath feet via carpet, plywood, linoleum, or concrete. All can be electrical conductors.

Damage is when current is incoming on one side and outgoing on the other side of that memory chip. Without both an incoming and outgoing path, then no damage.

How to avert that charge? Connect a body (ie wrist strap) to conductive material beneath shoes. Some stand on an anti static mat. Some connect a strap to the table to make a connection to beneath shoes. But appreciate this. Do not ground the electronics. That only makes electronics a better and destructive path for that current.

Warning - wrist strap must be conductive to static electric but not so conductive to AC electric. Otherwise the wrist strap can make electrocution easier. So a wrist strap typically has a 1 meg ohm resistor.

Other techniques include keeping room humidity to above 40%. And covering all surfaced with anti-static (conductive) materials that make a good connection to the floor. Wear fabric that do not create static electricity (ie cotton). Some floor waxes can even make generating charges easier.

Do not waste money on anti-static sprays.
 
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Doramius

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Agreed with swifty_morgan. We don't want to over think this. Wood is a poor conductor of electricity. Static can build up when the epoxy based motherboard moves over a surface like carpet or vinyl. The wood just creates a barrier to prevent buildup static charge. People will connect a system together, outside of a case, on wood to prevent shorting of components. A case will ground to a PSU if it is mounted to the case, but a PSU that is plugged into a proper outlet (regardless of power switch on or off) is grounded.

Moving that aside, when discharging static, you want to do it on a large piece of metal. The larger the piece, the more charge it can absorb. I don't know the type of table you have, or what metal is on the leg. If I feel I need to use a wrist strap, I usually just connect it to a plugged in PSU. Fan grill is good enough. Otherwise, i just grab the metal case.
 
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gensuperman

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So just to clarify, would these be the steps that you guys would then take for anti static bracelet?

I really like the idea of working out side of the case. I will definitely consider that.

So, just to clarify, these would then by steps below based upon your guys suggestion:

1) Work off a wood table
2) Have the case and motherboard separately next to eachother on this wood table
3) Screw in the power supply to mount it to the case and make sure the power supply is turned off.
4) Plug in the power supply to the wall outlet to ground it.
5) Put on the wrist band and clip it to a screw on the power supply or hook it to the fan grill of the power supply
6) Touch the side of the power supply or something non painted metal on the case itself.
7) Begin working outside of the case on the motherboard separate from the case. (Put in memory, cpu, etc).
8) Put the completed mother board into the case and put the harddrives into the case.
9) Hook up the connectors from the board to the powersupply and harddrives.
***** (At this point do I need to unplug the computer from the wall to hook up the connectors)?
10) Unplug power supply from wall, plug into a surge protector and turn on surge protector. Start computer.

Thanks so much for any help, it is truly appreciated.

GenSuperman
 
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swifty_morgan

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can't you just screw the standoffs in the case/pop the IO shield in/remove other case side/set case aside.
put the processor on the board/attach heat sink and fan/pop memory in.
insert motherboard..slightly tilted so the back of the board lines up with the holes in the IO shield and then lower to board to the standoffs/screw down.
slip in dvd-rom and screw into place. same with HD........... wire front panel switches.
add power supply and wire machine.

if you need to ground yourself...... touch the stove.

don't wear socks/wear shoes/sneaks........... don't work on a rug ( stand on ).

read the booklet over and over and over and over and over again before doing anything.
 
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Doramius

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Overall, the process for using the anti-static band is very good. It's definitely safe from static shock. However, I'd install the Optical and Hard drives before putting anything else in the case. Don't need to connect the cables, but with many cases, it's difficult to put the drives in over the motherboard, cables, and other components.

My process is:
Install PSU & Drives into the case, along with motherboard rear plate.
Make all grounding connections, if using a wrist strap.
Put the CPU & heatsink on the motherboard.
Insert motherboard into case.
Connect internal cables.
Install RAM modules & video card
Connect external devices (monitors, peripherals, accessories, etc.)
Test the rig.

Note: I have a physical workspace I regularly use to repair computer & networking equipment. It is already designed with static reduction equipment.
 
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