Anti static mat and wrist strap

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Banana-Man

Banana-Man

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Aug 31, 2016
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Hello, i bought an anti static mat and wrist strap combo but i am a bit confused about how to use it, it doesn't come with an alligator clip to connect the wrist strap to the case. It comes with a grounding plug that you place into the wall socket, then there is a cable (called a mat connector in the manual) that goes from the plug into one of the studs on the mat. On the part of the mat connector cable that goes into the mat stud there are two holes where you can connect the wrist strap cable to the mat connector cable.


So the mat connector cable connects the plug and the mat together, then the wrist strap cable is connected to the mat via the socket on the mat connector cable. Presumably the idea behind this is to have the wall socket, the mat and yourself all grounded on the same level. So do i need to have the psu plugged into the same wall socket while i am working so that the computer is grounded with the wall socket, i can't figure out how else it would work???
 
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JackNaylorPE
I can't speak to how **well** it works as I have never used it, I much prefer the other method.

The touch the case thing works both ways. If you build up a static charge from walking on carpets with sneakers and then you touch a grounded case, then you would discharge the static charge to ground through the grounded case. Conversely, If you who are grounded via the strap "touch the case" before handling any component ... then any static charge which the case may hold will be discharged to ground through you as you are grounded. Then when you handle a component. Once discharged it would be a weird thing for the case to rebuild a charge but it's possible (fabric table cloth over rubber mat) so using the method I described in previous...
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Banana-Man

Banana-Man

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Aug 31, 2016
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sorry, i have seperated it into two paragraphs to make it easier to read. yes you read it correctly, i just need the question answering about how i ground the computer case, i am assuming it is done by connecting the psu to the same wall socket while working? well not exactly the same socket obviously, there are two plug sockets belonging to the same electrical thing in the wall, so the ground plug is connected to one socket and the psu is connected to the other?
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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The usual setup is like this ....

a. Body to Strap ... I recommend attaching the strap to your ankle rather than wrist as wire gets in way when assembling components into case when attached to wrist

b. Strap to Mat -

c.1 Mat to Case - For this to be effective, PSU must be in case and PSU must be plugged in and should switched off. Frequent attachment point is a brass MoBo standoff screwed in to an EATX MoBo tray hole or any other point where you can put a screw (no paint) into a screw hole on the case where the lack if paint will insure a good connection.

c.2 Mat to wall socket works but you'll need something to ground the case. A static charge at the case would want to "jump to gound". Taking the rubber feet off the case would work it would seem but the paint may provide an insulating layer. Some will use a "jumper" (coiled wire w/ 2 alligator clips). Others just make sure to touch the case or the mat between handling any component to discharge and built up static charge.

BTW, not wearing shoes / not walking on carpets will reduce any static concerns enormously.
 
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Banana-Man

Banana-Man

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Aug 31, 2016
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thanks for your post, how does the mat to wall socket method actually work? don't i need what i am working on to be also connected to the same wall outlet to complete the connection? otherwise how is the hardware i am working on going to be grounded?
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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Oct 30, 2004
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I can't speak to how **well** it works as I have never used it, I much prefer the other method.

The touch the case thing works both ways. If you build up a static charge from walking on carpets with sneakers and then you touch a grounded case, then you would discharge the static charge to ground through the grounded case. Conversely, If you who are grounded via the strap "touch the case" before handling any component ... then any static charge which the case may hold will be discharged to ground through you as you are grounded. Then when you handle a component. Once discharged it would be a weird thing for the case to rebuild a charge but it's possible (fabric table cloth over rubber mat) so using the method I described in previous post works. Notice the underlined part

c.2 Mat to wall socket works but you'll need something to ground the case. A static charge at the case would want to "jump to gound". Taking the rubber feet off the case would work it would seem but the paint may provide an insulating layer. Some will use a "jumper" (coiled wire w/ 2 alligator clips). Others just make sure to touch the case or the mat between handling any component to discharge and built up static charge.
Click to expand...
here's the "Gold Standard" ... watch the videos

http://www.modright.com/products/11391/pad-310/ModRight_Xtreme_Super_Large_Anti-Static_Mod-Mat_Work_and_Assembly_Surface_Over_47_x_23_in_Size_-_Patent_Pending.html?tl=g61c11s1279

 
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