Grounding a pc while building it

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negevasaf

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Nov 24, 2013
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I have looked a lot into it but there are few things that I didn't understand:
1. Should the psu be plugged into the power and installed in the case whil I am building th system?
2. Should I use a metal cable and connect one part of it to the case and the other one stuck in the ground?
3. Is the case his self protect me from static electricity (when it's not connected to anything, when I touch the unpainted part every time I want to touch any thing else).
4. Should I build a part of the system outside the case?

Thank you
 
Solution
Reyaz123
1.Never have the psu connected while working on a pc, anything shouldn't be plugged in for that matter
2.Touch the metal part of your psu with a screwdriver to temporarily ground yourself (do not poke the screwdriver inside the power supply because you can and willl get shocked)
3.See number 2
4.There's no purpose to build a part of the system outside the case, as long as you are grounded (follow my step 2)
5.Never work on carpet when building a pc, esd is more likely to happen
6.If you want to really get grounded, buy an antistatic wrist strap or esd mat to place below you
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Reyaz123

Reyaz123

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May 8, 2015
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1.Never have the psu connected while working on a pc, anything shouldn't be plugged in for that matter
2.Touch the metal part of your psu with a screwdriver to temporarily ground yourself (do not poke the screwdriver inside the power supply because you can and willl get shocked)
3.See number 2
4.There's no purpose to build a part of the system outside the case, as long as you are grounded (follow my step 2)
5.Never work on carpet when building a pc, esd is more likely to happen
6.If you want to really get grounded, buy an antistatic wrist strap or esd mat to place below you
 
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Solution
Jon-Doe

Jon-Doe

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Jun 6, 2015
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1. PSU should be completely unplugged anytime the PC is to be opened or hardware is going to be worked on.

2. Unnecessary. The PC case is the ground for the components you are installing. It is you that needs to be grounded.

3. This is a simple way of discharging static electricity from your body.(Since the PC case is already grounded)

4. Nothing should be built outside of the case. The case is the shell to the Crab. The skin&bones to your vital organs.


If you are worried(or new to building), buy a static wristband at Best Buy or another tech retailer.
You can also make one yourself.
Without one you're looking at a 5% chance or lower of harming components with static discharge from your body.

Everyone says it's unnecessary but if I had a gun pointed at my head and there was a 5% chance it was going to fire, I would remove the firing pin just to make sure there was a %100 chance it wasn't going to fire.
 
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Jon-Doe

Jon-Doe

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Jun 6, 2015
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Makes sense if you guys can switch off you're outlets. Only certain outlets we can switch off in the US so it's best to have it completely unplugged. The case is a ground though so it doesn't need to be grounded.
 
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rdc85

rdc85

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Apr 29, 2012
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4. Is called bread boarding, usually not necessary.
but it's useful to check if all component works together or if some component fail out of box..
(caution also advised, since it's open bed, not advised for novice)

and yeah don't plug anything when installing,
(not only psu, but also monitor, speaker, etc, all should not connected to power)

touching metal part on psu and case usually enough to discharge static, or mental part of your house :D...
not all the time, since static need some time to build up, couple time touching the case/psu is ok...
 
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tech-wreck

tech-wreck

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Jan 8, 2014
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just to add to what madmatt said about UK power - i made my own ESD strap with a standard plug, 6' of wire, a crocodile clip in the middle of the wire and a short length of copper wire at the end, all soldered up. the plug is wired to the earth only (the live and neutral pins have been removed), the clip, er, clips to the case and the solid copper wire is to wrap loosely round my wrist.

not recommended if the power outlets in your location don't have an earth... no, don't plug yourself into the mains.
 
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