Are anti-static wrist bands and mats necessary when building a pc?

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chris3488

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Oct 28, 2015
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My whole house, including bedrooms and living room is all tile, no carpet. I've heard that touching the metal computer case doesn't work?
 
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derek3ton
Not really. You can just touch something metal before you touch your pc components. I don't use any anti static stuff when i go into mine either. Been doing it for almost 20 years without incident.
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derek3ton

derek3ton

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Oct 30, 2015
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Not really. You can just touch something metal before you touch your pc components. I don't use any anti static stuff when i go into mine either. Been doing it for almost 20 years without incident.
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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I've built and worked on all of my computers while standing/kneeling on wood floors and carpeting. I've never owned an anti-static wrist band and have made it a habit of touching a metal components of the case before reaching into the computer case. I've never damaged a component in this way (nearly 20 years).

-Wolf sends
 
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dish_moose

dish_moose

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I am an electronic tech for 30 years and I've seen many static horror stories. Static is very predictable, and in many cases avoidable. Things to be careful of humidity, clothing, type of seat. I live in Canada and the dry winters make static discharge a major concern. When dealing with very static sensitive devices I work on a metal grounded bench with an anti-static mat on the top surface. I rarely use the wrist strap because the work surfaces are are all grounded. In a normal environment an anti-static wrist strap makes good sense. Building a computer can cost well in excess of a $1000. An inexpensive wrist strap, properly grounded, is a good practice. After all, you cannot take away any damage caused by a static discharge.
-Bruce
 
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galeener

galeener

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I don't usually use one Just keep countinually touching the case metal every so often to disipate a build up if your worried. Or if you want to be cheap about it get some copper wire and wrap one end arund your arm and the other to the pc metal frame. that is if you have any laying around. i mean it is a good idea to wear a strap if you can because yes you might not see the zap and everything maybe ok but there is a chance you could zap it and shorten the life of some of the components , if not right out fry them.
 
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dish_moose

dish_moose

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Sure copper wire will prevent static build up but it is also a very low resistance path to ground. Static straps are fairly high resistance so they dissipate static in a controlled slow discharge. Hopefully you do not have anything powered up when you have your copper wire connected to your wrist - if you do you are just asking for trouble.
-Bruce
 
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