is it dangerous for a motherboard to handle it with anti static wrist strap

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alpha_2000

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Jul 17, 2016
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when i put my motherboard in i was touching the little chips attached the motherboard so i could screw in the motherboard is that dangerous even with an anti static wrist strap to touch those things even with an anti static wrist strap? if so im thinking about going with anti static gloves and wrist strap
 
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g-unit1111
Honestly I wouldn't build with an anti-static wrist strap, I've always thought they're kind of useless. I've built and rebuilt tons of systems and I've never had the need for anti-static anything. Unless you live in an area where there's frequent thunderstorms or excessive dust, you're pretty much paying for a false sense of security.
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Hlsgsz

Hlsgsz

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Feb 29, 2016
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WIth a wrist strap? Absolutely no worries whatsoever. Just make sure to touch the case aswell before actually mounting.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Honestly I wouldn't build with an anti-static wrist strap, I've always thought they're kind of useless. I've built and rebuilt tons of systems and I've never had the need for anti-static anything. Unless you live in an area where there's frequent thunderstorms or excessive dust, you're pretty much paying for a false sense of security.
 
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blazorthon

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Sep 24, 2010
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I've been building for years myself and I've never used a wrist strap and never had a problem. Touch the case often before handling delicate electronics and you should be good to go. I've heard of parts getting ruined, but there's really no way of knowing if they weren't faulty to begin with.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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No, grounding yourself does nothing. The best thing to do is work on a completely clean, dust-free surface, preferably away from carpet. And if you have to build on carpet, a plastic chair mat is a far more worthwhile investment than a static wrist strap is. Really, thoroughly cleaning your build area (and I do mean thoroughly) is a better way to protect yourself from static discharge than anything else you can do or buy.
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Yeah I've never bothered with a strap either and I usually build on carpet. You do want to ground yourself but touching some metal on the case is fine.
 
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littleleo

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May 8, 2009
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I've been building systems from the 80s so what do I know, lol. A clean assembly area goes with out saying. I have always grounded myself. Whether it is an over precaution or not it is just something I've done for years out of habit. I was forced to learn on the fly and I'd rather take an extra precaution then rush through the processes and damage a component. Since I have learned mainly by trial and error I've taken some computer repair classes for fun (I actually found some customers that way). And I was introduced to using a ground strap in one of them. Using a grounding strap for someone who has a lot of computer experience isn't really necessary but for a noob, it doesn't hurt to be extra safe and use a strap and/or ground yourself.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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I think the only time you need to ground yourself is if you live in an area that's prone to static discharge - such as an area that's prone to thunderstorms and lots of dust (such as the Midwest and Arizona). I've been building going back to the early 90s and I reached a point where I found out that grounding yourself really doesn't do anything. If a part goes bad when you build it, that means that it was a part that was defective to begin with. Really, a static surge can destroy your computer - and has a far more likely chance of doing so if you're working with the power supply plugged in and turned on. But if it's powered off, away from a carpeted surface, and you're working in a clean area, then you can work ungrounded. Static discharge is one of those things where I think people take their paranoia about it happening to extremes. If you take precaution before hand, you will not have to worry.
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Static discharge is nothing more than a difference in the electrical field between 2 items. Scrubbing your socked feet across the carpet builds up the electrical field on your skin. Then you touch the cat, which had a lower surrounding field, and the fields equalize, resulting in the cat getting zapped.

The anti-static band is nothing more than a conduit for the fields to balance between the case and you. Works exactly the same as if you physically touch the case, then pick up a mobo. You equalized the field.

I've been inside pc's since they were first commercially available to the public, built pc's sitting on the carpet of my bedroom, generally clean my good pc doing the same, and never once had static discharge ruin anything.

A pc isn't a Tonka truck, they don't take abuse well, so anything done with your hands inside the case must be done with firm but gentle care. Extending this to mean touching the case frequently is easy. Lean your forearm/elbow on the frame when installing the mobo.

Antistatic bands are really just some enterprising companies way of selling useless items to the safety conscious. Use one if you wish, I don't, many don't, they just tend to be in the way most times.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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I agree, it's the PC builder's equivalent of Lifelock. It's a useless item sold to the truly paranoid who want a sense of security but it's really a placebo.
 
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littleleo

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May 8, 2009
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Oh no not Lifelock too! I'm going to stop reading this thread before you say there is no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny! You're dashing all our fantasies... oh the humanity!

Back to the original question: NO, it isn't dangerous to handle your motherboard with a anti static wrist strap.
Some may feel they are a gimmick and useless, and some feel they give an extra security blanket. Either way there is no harm using one while handling your motherboard. Good luck with your build.
 
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Multipack

Multipack

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Sep 5, 2016
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I used to be uber-paranoid about static etc but these days I open my case when it's still on, while eating spaghetti with the other hand, and having a water fight. Ok that last one isn't true, but I have definitely become complacent lol. Have never heard of anyone ever damaging components with static myself but saying it'll never happen is a bit like tempting fate!
 
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